August 2020
“ Children are not a distraction from more important work.
They are the most important work. ”
— C.S. Lewis
God Cares for Me
As parents of young children, most of you have a plethora of things to worry about—from milestones to worries of the future. However, 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to "give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." Use this season in your life, letting your child know the many ways that God provides for your family! God loves and cares about you and your child! Read more - along with a video and craft
Family Service Experience
As families are searching for new ways to connect with each other, Fuller Youth Institute and YouthWorks have joined together to offer Live Like Jesus a Family Service Experience Curriculum for free. This curriculum is designed to be paired with two days of local service experiences for families. Click HERE .

Show Compassion.
Teach Kindness.
Stand Together. 
Now more than ever, action feels better than anxiety.

The organization, Doing Good Together , has compiled a list of big-hearted, family-friendly service ideas and kindness activities to use during your service experience. Check out their website ! 
Julie's Library
Acting legend Julie Andrews and her daughter launched this podcast when the pandemic hit. The pair read children’s book aloud, discuss the themes, and suggest enrichment activities. The book choices and lively chats help spark a love for reading.

Podcast is geared for children ages 4 to 10.
Pardon the Mess - Podcast for Parents

Parenting can be messy. There’s lots of amazing moments followed by some really hard times that make it easy to be discouraged if we aren’t careful. That’s why we want to invite you to listen to our podcast, Pardon the Mess . Each week you’ll hear honest discussions from real people about the ups and downs of parenting, and the lessons God has taught them along the way. It’s fun, it’s real, it’s biblical, and it’s for everyone!
8 Summer Faith Builders for Christian Families to Try Together

Fancy trips and high-tech gadgets aren’t required for first-rate family memories. In fact, some of the best experiences occur during “down time,” when you can have quiet conversations about family and faith. Encourage kids to share thoughts about how you spend time together. Use these questions as a springboard for insightful conversations: “What are family times that are most special to you, and why? What do you wish we did more of together? What do our favorite things to do as a family say about us? How can we demonstrate our faith in God during these times together? Why does Jesus like us to spend time with him?”

Love Each Other Well
As parents, most of us are seeking to love our children well. This is a challenging task, but not nearly as challenging as trying to teach our children how to love each other well, especially when it comes to their siblings ! 

Here is a great article from Christian Parenting - Helping Our Children Love Each Other Well
Make a Splash!
8 Exciting Water Games
Certain things are synonymous with summer, and one that’s a sure hit with kids are water games! Cool, refreshing, and fun—water is the perfect element when the sun scorches on a mid-summer afternoon. Use these wet-and-wild activities to help kids have fun and refresh their faith.
Three Ways to Connect with Your Kid at Any Phase
Parenting humans can be unpredictable. Every kid is different and there are no formulas. It’s hard to anticipate everything.

West Side VBS - Monday's in August!
BLAST into August with an EXPLOSIVE family experience like you’ve never had before. West Side is providing families an at-home, parent-led VBS program. Explore the world of science – from building towers to designing boats — while engaging with the Word of God.

This year, the fun isn’t just for the kids! With Faith Lab @ Home, families will spend time together memorizing scripture, watching science-themed devotions, and completing a weekly science project.

Join us as we explore science and God’s Word in our homes. This five-day, VBS-style, at-home program mixes Biblical truths with hands-on science for a long-lasting reaction. We will be holding VBS each Monday in August. Simple set up, easy to execute, fun for all ages! See the teaser video below!

NOTE: This VBS works well in small communities! If you are comfortable, invite your neighbors and do the science projects together in your backyard.