As you think about all the things your family is having to deal with on a daily basis, it can be a little overwhelming. You have to get up, get ready, get everyone else ready, get out the door to school and work, get everyone to their afternoon and evening activities, push or bribe your child to finish their homework, and maybe (if you are lucky) you get to eat somewhere along the way. Not only do you have to navigate your normal schedules, but you also must navigate and help your child learn to navigate the increasingly difficult issues that exist in the world. Your kid(s) are being bombarded with new and increasingly difficult challenges or decisions about things they have no way to process. As a parent, you probably already feel like you are at a loss for what to do, where to help, and how to engage.

As they move through life and become teens there are different, but still difficult decisions, situations, and issues they face. You, as their parent or guardian, want to be right there with them. You can comfort them, guide them, and teach them as they learn and grow. Unfortunately, having the conversations you want (and need) to have is difficult. You often don’t have the relationship you wish you had in order to simply talk. The influence you wish you had slips away over time unless you focus on having the kind of relationship with your teen that will allow for the more difficult conversations. One of the things that every parent must learn how to do is to be (and stay) in the conversation with their teen. We’re not referring to any particular conversation, but rather talking about the ongoing conversation of life. If you can be in the habit of talking to your teen(s) all the time about all the things, you will have a much better chance of them inviting you into the harder conversations that revolve around the difficult issues they face in the world.

Dealing with difficult issues is not new in the world, but it does seem like they are coming faster and with greater intensity than they once did. The good news is that when it comes to helping a child think through and deal with the difficult issues of life, there are some practical things that you can do to help them develop the solid spiritual foundation that we all want them to have. Much of what you can do revolves around building real relationships, having open/honest conversations, and spending time in prayer. This can take a lot of work and can even be a little intimidating for many, but it’s so worth it because just these simple steps can have more of an impact than most parents realize. And if you haven’t watched this month’s encouraging Online Parenting Class video, you still have time. This month’s resources are targeted at helping you think through how you will help your children navigate some of the difficult issues they are facing. The way we interact with them as they sort out what they believe really matters. We hope you can use these to open ongoing conversations with your kid(s) and teenager(s). Talk about everything so that you can talk about anything! Check out this month’s videos and Toolbox Resources below.

Parenting, especially in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, can be daunting. However, it's during these times that our faith and values become our guiding lights. As a family, we have the strength and resilience to face difficult issues head-on. Your church family is always here for you! If there is ever anything we can do for you or your family, then don't hesitate to ask. We are in this together!