Purpose

2 SIMPLE STEPS TO PARENTING WITH PURPOSE

Email 1

Copy/Paste the following email:

Subject Line: 2 Simple Steps to Parenting with Purpose

Dear (Insert Parent’s Name),

Do you wonder if there is more to parenting than being an event coordinator, ATM dispenser, or conflict negotiator? What is the point of parenting? Is there a point?

In less than four minutes, we give you two simple steps to help you parent your child with purpose. We believe it is possible to avoid pointless parenting.

Here is our four-minute encouragement for the month. Simply click the link below.

https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/381836659/c427f771e4

Cheering for you!

(Insert Leader’s Name)

Email 2

Copy/Paste the following email:

Subject Line: 2 Simple Steps to Parenting with Purpose

Dear (Insert Parent’s Name),

If you missed this month’s encouragement video, here is the link:

https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/381836659/c427f771e4

If you watched (or listened while running pickup and drop off), did you have a chance to write down an answer to the question, “How do I want to relate to my children in twenty years?” Were you able to come up with two or three action steps?

If so, please let me know if I can help you accomplish those steps in any way. As your (Insert your role to the child’s parent), I am here to help you. I believe in your role as the parent. I am cheering you on!

(Insert Leader’s Name)

Video Script

Title: How to Parent with Purpose

Welcome to this month’s online parenting class! This class, we are going to give 2 simple steps to help you avoid pointless parenting.

For each person, parenting brings about different challenges. When they are babies, nighttime feedings and changing diapers can feel like chaos. Elementary years bring school schedules, grades, and peer-to-peer interactions. The teen years bring puberty, driver’s license, and academic pressure. Sometimes, we, as parents, can feel like we are in the tornado from Wizard of Oz swirling round and round with appointments, practices, assignments, and dinnertimes.

When parenting feels chaotic, sometimes we can feel there is no purpose or point. Have you ever asked the question, “What am I doing?” Today, we give you two simple steps to help you answer that question.

Step 1: Ask the question: “How do I want to relate to my children in twenty years?”

If you have time now, grab a sheet of paper and a pen. If not, spend some time later answering this question.

Picture yourself in twenty years. How old will you be? Write down your age. How old your son or daughter be? If you have more than one child, write down their ages also.

Take a few minutes and think about that season. Use your imagination. Where do you think you live? Where do you think your adult children live? Imagine seeing yourself interact with your adult children. When you do interact, how do you want it to go? Think about your heart really hopes for in regards to a relationship twenty years from now. Write that imaginative reality down on paper.

Now, what do you need to do between now and then to help accomplish that vision? Is it something you need to do one time? Every month? Every year? Is it a course correction in parenting styles? A change in the environment?

Write out 2 or 3 action steps with dates and times. Add them to your calendar, even if it six months from now.

In Proverbs 16:9, it says, “We can make our plans, but He determines our steps.” As you draw out your plan, hold on to them loosely. We can plan and prepare for what we long for, but He will determine our steps.

Step Two: Ask for Wisdom.

In Proverbs 15:22, it says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed.” We do not have to figure out parenting alone- we have God’s guidance, and we have help with a community, so step two is to ask for wisdom from someone who has gone before you in the parenting role.

Find a trusted parent whose kids have grown and gone- maybe it is a teacher, coach, fellow soccer mom, or small group leader at church. Ask them for wisdom and insight on what they did or didn’t do to maintain a relationship with their kids. Ask them how they interact with their teenager or their adult son/daughter. Make mental notes and use their wisdom to adjust your action steps as needed. Your family has its’ own unique personality and dynamics, so keep that in mind!

As we close, remember the two basic steps to avoid pointless parenting.

1. Ask the question: “How do I want to relate to my children in twenty years?”
2. Ask for wisdom.

We want to thank you for watching this month’s Online Parenting Class. Please join us for our next class on “3 Ways to Find Confidence as a Parent.”

If you enjoyed today’s video, make sure to ask your Director or Minister for previous classes. If you think another parent would benefit from this encouragement, please share what you have learned.

 

Social Media Posts

To parent with purpose, ask the question: How do I want to relate to my children in twenty years?

To parent with purpose, find a trusted mentor, friend, or community leader and ask for wisdom.

Proverbs 15:22 “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed.” We do not have to figure out parenting alone.

Proverbs 16:9 “We can make our plans, but He determines our steps.” Plan and prepare as a parent, but hold on to them loosely. 

When you plan as a parent, remember your family has its’ own unique personality and dynamics, so take others’ wisdom and adjust your action steps as needed.