Parenting in God’s family - with Harriet Connor & Kat Ashton Israel
Oct 1, 2024
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Harriet Connor, editor of 'Parenting in God’s Family' and writer for Growing Faith, joins Kat Ashton Israel, a mother of five and contributor to the book. They dive into what Christian parenting really means and share tips for effective family Bible time. Discover how to juggle church commitments with young kids and tackle the digital age's challenges with teens. They also discuss navigating teen faith crises and fostering meaningful spiritual practices, all while addressing the ups and downs of parenting in faith.
Christian parenting involves viewing children as gifts from God and fostering their independence while navigating life's complexities with God's guidance.
Prioritizing regular church attendance establishes a strong spiritual foundation for children, enhancing both their personal growth and community engagement.
Deep dives
Understanding Christian Parenting
Christian parenting begins with recognizing children as gifts from God, which challenges societal norms. Parents play a crucial role in demonstrating God's love and guiding their children through life's complexities. This involves teaching not only spiritual practices but also how to navigate the world while fostering their independence. Acknowledging human limitations is essential, as it encourages parents to rely on God's grace and the support of the church community while guiding their children.
Balancing Parenting Styles
Different parenting styles can significantly impact a child's development, and finding the right balance is key. The historical classification of parenting styles includes permissive, authoritative, and authoritarian, with authoritative being the most balanced. Using metaphors like volcanoes for permissive styles and tubes for authoritarian styles helps illustrate the importance of setting firm boundaries while also nurturing warmth. Ultimately, the goal is to gradually transition to a funnel-like approach, allowing children to gain independence as they mature.
Navigating Church Involvement with Family
Prioritizing church attendance is essential for families with young children, despite the challenges that arise. Establishing a routine of attending church helps set a strong foundation for children's spiritual growth and fosters a sense of community. Open communication with church leaders regarding children's needs can also create a more supportive environment for families. Additionally, finding ways to engage children who might resist attending, such as introducing activities or creating a positive atmosphere, can enhance their church experience.
What is Christian parenting? How do we do family Bible time well?
How can we prioritize church, even when it’s hard? Navigating social media with teens?
And how to parent teens who are doubting, drifting or deserting?
Parenting is joyous, magical, tiresome, boring, stressful and complicated.
Harriet Connor is editor of ‘Parenting in God’s family: Biblical wisdom for everyday issues.’ (https://bit.ly/4eJgars). Kat Ashton Israel is a contributing author.