Parent Up
15 Practical Solutions for Today’s Parenting Challenges
Raising children has always been a significant undertaking, but today’s parents face a unique set of challenges. The rapid pace of technological advancements, cultural shifts, and increasingly busy schedules all contribute to an environment that can often feel overwhelming. For those of us striving to model a personal relationship with Christ and instill a biblical worldview in our children, these challenges can sometimes seem insurmountable. Yet, it is precisely in these moments of difficulty that our faith becomes a crucial foundation, offering guidance, strength, and wisdom.
“Our job is to raise little God worshippers.”
Heather, a mother to a blended family with three adult children and two soon to be out of the nest shared with us during a parenting panel in the Intentional Life Media studios: “Dave and I—maybe 20 years ago—we were sitting in a parenting class at our church, and our senior pastor and his wife, at the time, were leading the class. …Parenting was like a huge thing to them, and they wanted to do it well. …One of the things they said, and it stuck with me to this day, is the idea that our job is not to raise great students, straight-A students. It’s not our job to raise division one, college athletes. It’s not even our job to just raise nice kids. [Our job] is to raise little God worshippers.”
As Christian parents, we are called to navigate these modern challenges with a steadfast commitment to our faith. By doing so, we not only address the immediate issues but also model for our children a life rooted in Christ, no matter the circumstances.
This blog series explores how we can navigate these challenges, beginning with an examination of digital distractions, cultural shifts, and busy schedules. Let’s embark on this journey together, seeking God’s wisdom and grace as we parent in these modern times.
Digital Distractions
The digital age has brought about unprecedented access to information, entertainment, and connectivity. While these advancements offer many benefits, they also present significant challenges for family life. One of the most pressing issues is the impact of technology and social media on our children.
Studies have shown that excessive screen time can lead to many problems, including decreased attention spans, impaired social skills, and even mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. As parents, it is crucial to set boundaries and create a balanced approach to technology use in our homes.
Strategies for balancing screen time with faith and family activities:
- Establish Clear Boundaries: Set specific times for technology use and ensure there are tech-free zones, such as during meals and family devotion times.
- Encourage Alternative Activities: Promote activities that foster creativity, physical activity, and family bonding. This could include outdoor play, reading, or family game nights.
- Model Healthy Behavior: Children often mimic their parents’ behavior. By demonstrating a balanced approach to technology, you set a powerful example for your children to follow.
- Incorporate Faith-Based Content: Use technology to your advantage by incorporating faith-based apps, videos, and music into your children’s screen time. This can be an excellent way to reinforce biblical teachings in an engaging manner.
- Prioritize Family Devotions: Make family devotion time a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. This helps to anchor your family in God’s word, providing a spiritual counterbalance to the digital distractions.
Cultural Shifts
Derek, a panel member with younger children shares, “I come from a little bit of a different background. I’m divorced, and I’ve got three kids. I’ve got the single dad home, and we come from a multi-faith background.”
“Find people in your similar situation that you can build off of and encourage each other.”
Our society is changing rapidly, with new norms and values emerging at a swift pace.
This can create confusion and conflict for families trying to uphold biblical truths. How do we guide our children to navigate these cultural shifts while remaining grounded in their faith?
Derek continues, “Small groups have been a very important part of establishing [connection for] my kids with other kids, who are very much you know involved in the church community. But then for myself with other single parents that were involved with those groups as well. It’s important to find people who are kind of in your similar situation that you can build off of and encourage each other.”
These changes are not new. Throughout history, Christians have faced similar challenges. The key is to approach these issues with a balance of truth and love, always seeking to reflect Christ in our interactions.
How to discuss and live out Biblical truths in a respectful and loving way:
- Open Communication: Encourage open and honest conversations about cultural issues. Create a safe space where your children can ask questions and express their thoughts and concerns.
- Biblical Education: Equip your children with a strong understanding of biblical truths. Regular Bible study, Sunday school, and youth group participation can provide a solid foundation.
- Live Out Your Faith: Demonstrate what it means to live out your faith in everyday situations. Your actions often speak louder than words, and your children will learn by observing how you handle cultural challenges.
- Respect and Love: Teach your children to approach cultural differences with respect and love. Emphasize the importance of showing Christ’s love to everyone, even those with whom they may disagree.
- Discernment: Help your children develop discernment and the ability to judge well. Encourage them to think critically about cultural messages and compare them against biblical principles.
Busy Schedules
John, another panel member who has raised his children and is now enjoying grandchildren says, “If you’ve had teens or have teenagers, you know the dynamic in the home gets pretty crazy, especially if they’re active in athletics and social activities and in their church as well outside of school.”
Modern life is often characterized by packed schedules and constant busyness. Finding time for faith and family can be a real struggle. However, it is essential to prioritize these aspects to ensure that our lives remain centered on Christ.
Heather continues reflecting on why realizing that as parents our job is to raise God worshippers means to much to her, “Because we have a sports oriented family, I think [those words] stuck with me a lot because sometimes being active in sports means missing out on church activities, or Sundays get a little complicated when you’re on the road for sports. And sometimes we had to say, ‘no’ to some of those things because the goal again is having children that love the Lord and not necessarily are not [to be] on the starting lineup of the team.”
Practical tips for integrating faith into daily routines:
- Start the Day with God: Begin your day with a family prayer or devotion. This sets a positive tone and reminds everyone to seek God’s guidance throughout the day.
- Faith in Everyday Moments: Look for opportunities to incorporate faith into daily activities. This could be as simple as praying before meals, discussing a Bible verse during a car ride, or reflecting on God’s goodness before bedtime.
- Family Worship: Set aside time each week for family worship. This can be a time of singing, reading Scripture, and praying together.
- Serve Together: Engage in service projects as a family. Serving others not only strengthens your faith but also teaches your children the importance of living out their beliefs.
- Sabbath Rest: Embrace the concept of Sabbath rest. Dedicate one day each week to rest from work and spend quality time with family and God. This practice helps to recalibrate your focus and refresh your spirit.
“Nothing escapes the attention of our Savior.”
While the challenges of modern parenting can be daunting, they also present incredible opportunities for growth and deepening our faith.
John shares wisdom and encouragement from his own experience, “Nothing escapes the attention of our Savior, and He is going to work it out in your kids. There’s a portion of Scripture that says train up a child in the way that they will go and they will not depart from it. And what that what that means for [my wife] Karen and me is that we did the best with the tools, knowledge and understanding of God and relationships when we were the youngsters that we were, when we had our kids.”
Remember, you are not alone on this journey. God is with you every step of the way, providing the strength and guidance you need. Lean on Him and let His love and wisdom shine through you as you raise your children.
Stay tuned for Part 2: Building Strong Foundations, where we will explore how to establish a solid spiritual foundation for your family. Together, we can build a legacy of faith that will endure for generations.