There is no doubt that one of the most common issues we are dealing with as children’s ministry leaders and volunteers these days is the fact that our kids are under more and more stress and are experiencing real anxiety every day. This anxiety can be paralyzing to them and can lead them to unhealthy thoughts and actions that spiral them into a difficult place. Parents are often either oblivious about what is really happening with their kids or at a loss when it comes to how to help their kids and lead them in a positive, faith-filled direction. As children’s ministry leaders and volunteers, we are uniquely positioned to speak both to the kids and to their parents as we seek to help.
There are lots of things we can do as we are on this journey with families. If we start by taking time to talk about the issue (publicly and privately) and acknowledge what is going on, we open the door for real conversations that can have a real impact. We can spend time in prayer for kids and parents as they navigate the emotions they feel. We can also educate ourselves on the common signs and symptoms of anxiety so we can be aware when a family is in the midst of this struggle.
This month, we want to encourage you and your team to be intentional about engaging in this difficult topic by listening to the felt needs of the families, stepping into critical conversations with kids and parents, and offering parents practical tools that can give them confidence as they try to help their kids navigate the anxiety they feel. We have provided you with a few tangible things, like this month’s Toolbox Resource entitled 10 Ideas To Help Your Child Navigate & Cope With Anxiety, that you can offer to parents as they wade through this ever-growing issue and the Online Parenting Class that hits the issue head-on and has some ideas about how you can leverage your role to help families.
Click the image above to watch the video or click HERE!