How To Prepare Your Child for Life

Email 1

Copy/ paste the email below.

Subject Line: How To Prepare Your Child for Life

Dear (Insert name of parent),

There are so many things about life we need to know, and it helps us when somebody equips us for the road. One way to prepare your child for the road of life is to think about your tool belt before you think about what to put in your child’s.

In less than five minutes, we discuss this and so much more!

Click here for the video:

https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/394575322/ede4853941

We believe in you,

(Insert leader’s name)

Email 2

Copy/ paste the email below.

Subject Line: How To Prepare Your Child for Life

Dear (Insert name of parent),

So much of parenting is not within our control, but what is within our control is the freedom to go out and pursue our own life tools. As adults, we don’t have to wait for someone to equip us for life, we have the personal freedom to go get it for ourselves.

So today’s step is brave yet straightforward. We can accept responsibility for taking inventory of the life tools we have. Figure out what more we want, then plan how to get it. If you want to hear more of this, click the link for a short, encouraging video.

https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/394575322/ede4853941

Imagine your child at 35 as he/she looks at his or her children passing down what they were given. Can you imagine what it would look like if they have just a few more tools than you did? 

Proverbs 3:13 states, “Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.” Collecting life tools is finding wisdom.

We hope this tip helps you just a little bit today as a parent.

Believing in you,

(Insert leader’s name)

Video

Video Script

Kid Video Script March 2020

Title: How to Prepare Your Child for Life

Welcome to this month’s online parenting class! Last class, we offered you ways to grow your confidence as a parent: understanding your story, your child’s story, and how God’s story connects them all. If you missed it, ask your Director or Minister to send it to you.

Today, we offer you a way to help prepare your child for life. This mission can seem simple, but when we break down into every day, the process can feel complicated or overwhelming.

Imagine everyone, including you, has a tool belt for life. When you were young, your parents or parental figures in your life put a “tool” in your tool belt to show you how to live life.

For example:

How do you manage money?

How do you learn how to date?

How do you forgive?

How do you cook?

How do you navigate emotions?

What’s important about marriage?

What are some good study habits?
How do you change a tire on a car? 

There are so many things about life we need to know, and it helps us when somebody equips us for the road. One way to prepare your child for the road of life is to think about your tool belt before you think about what to put in your child’s.

As you take a personal assessment of what is in your life tool belt, please know there is no perfect parent. EVERY ONE of us will have empty pockets. Some of us had parents who filled pocket after pocket of “life tools,” while others received very minimal. Either way, our parental figures or parents were only able to pass down what they were given, and whatever that is is not within our control.

What is within our control is the freedom to go out and pursue our own life tools. As adults, we don’t have to wait for someone to equip us for life, we have the personal freedom to go get it for ourselves.

So today’s step is brave yet straightforward. We can accept responsibility for taking inventory of the life tools we have. Figure out what more we want, then plan how to get it.

For example, let’s say you didn’t learn how to manage money. That’s okay, so many parents didn’t receive that tool. Where can you find wisdom and practical tips? Is there someone you admire who seems to manage their money wisely, not extravagantly, but wisely? Can you seek out Biblical advice from a mentor? A financial advisor? A legitimate, authorized company online?

This step requires intentionality, but it is worth it. Imagine your child at 35, looking at his or her child passing down what they were given. Can you imagine what it would look like if they have just a few more tools than you did?

Please keep it simple and start with one or two items. Because it is not possible to fill an entire tool belt, take your time evaluating. Ask the Lord for help. Once you identify a “life tool” you want, begin to look for a trusted and vetted friend, mentor, life coach, church member, teacher, website, or counselor for suggestions on where to start. 

Thank you for joining this month’s Online Parenting Class. If you want more classes, please ask your Minister or Director.

In our next class, we have a unique, online, guided prayer time where we don’t just tell you “how to pray,” but we will pray with you for your child, and if you think another parent would benefit from this encouragement, please share what you have learned. And remember…start small…what is one life tool you want to add to your tool belt? Go get it! We are cheering for you Parents.

Social Media Swag

Imagine your child at 35, looking at his or her children passing down what they were given. Can you imagine what it would look like if they have just a few more tools than you did?

What is within our control as parents? We have the freedom to go out and pursue our own tools for life and then pass them on to our children.

One way to prepare your child for the road of life is to think about your tool belt before you think about what to put in your children’s.

Pursuing “life tools” is brave and straightforward. We can accept responsibility for taking inventory of the life tools we have. All we do is figure out what more we want, then plan how to get it.

How To Find Confidence as a Parent

Email 1

Copy/ paste the email below.

Subject Line: How To Find Confidence as a Parent

Dear (Insert name of parent),

Do you ever find yourself thinking: How is this going to turn out? Am I the right person for this job? Because there is no manual for your assigned parenting job, we want to encourage you as a parent of a child.

In less than five minutes, we discuss the above questions in a video. It is so short you can listen to it sitting in the drive-thru at Chick-fil-a!

Click here for the video:

https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/387500250/55132da187

We believe in you as the one God chose to raise your child.

(Insert leader’s name)

Email 2

Copy/ paste the email below.

Subject Line: How To Find Confidence as a Parent

Dear (Insert name of parent),

God could have picked any parent on the planet to oversee the life of your child- and He chose you. He doesn’t make mistakes. There is no error on His part. Because of this truth, you can be confident as a parent and a person.

The video gave some great tips to instill confidence in parents:

• Understand our Child’s Story
• Understand our Story
• Believe in His Story

If you missed the short, encouraging video, click here:

https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/387500250/55132da187

He says in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

His Story, one of love and pursuit, brings our Story as parents and the stories of our children together. His Story connects them all.

We hope you are encouraged today as a parent.

Believing in you,

(Insert leader’s name)

Video

Video Script

Welcome to this month’s online parenting class! Last class, we gave you two steps on how to avoid pointless parenting. If you missed it, ask your Director or Minister to send it to you. This month we are going to give you three practical tips on how to find confidence as a parent.

Do you ever find yourself thinking: How is this going to turn out? Am I the right person for this job?

There is no manual for the parenting job. No-one has parented your child before this moment. You are navigating the unexplored corners of the parenting world where no man or woman has gone before. So if it feels uncertain and risky, you are in the norm. But we believe it is possible to have confidence in the uncertainty of it all.

The parenting world operates a lot like the branches of the US government: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. From a young age, students in the educational system learn about how these three branches work together to lead a democracy- three components working together for a greater purpose. The parenting world is similar– three components simultaneously working together for a higher purpose.

The first component is Our Child’s Story. Our children have their unique talents, gifts, and personality. Although we have seen the majority of what they have experienced, we cannot say we have experienced through their eyes. They have a way of experiencing the world, that of which we cannot understand fully. Only Jesus has that role.

Our role is to understand our children are in their formative years while they are under our care. They are like a building under construction in a big city. The pedestrian traffic commute to work, walking by it every day, wondering what it will look like one day. The construction manager is overseeing the vision of the architect.

We, as parents, are the construction manager, and the architect, God the Creator, gives His plans and designs for our children. We don’t know what they will become or the final product of their personality, gifts, or talents, but we can be confident as a parent, God is unfolding our child’s Story one day at a time. We must also be careful not to assume we know how they will turn out.

The second component is Our Story. We can find inspiration and hope in knowing God is revealing the Story of our children, but He is also not finished with your Story. Yes, you. Ever before you had the role of a parent, you were you.

He was the architect designing and shaping your Story- your history, personality, past, present, culture, upbringing, etc. Your Story has a significant influence on your parenting journey.

When we intentionally invest in understanding and owning our Story, we offer our children a gift of grace: confidence that regardless of where we have come from or where we’ve been, we own our “whole” story, including the moments from heroic to heartbreaking. God is not done with your Story yet. He is still unfolding one day at a time.

The third component is His Story. The beautiful architect, creator, and mastermind behind this whole parenting world is the Lord who weaves our stories into His like a seamstress gently guiding the thread with her hand. He says in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

His Story, one of love and pursuit, brings our Story as parents and the stories of our children together. His Story connects them all.

He could have picked any parent on the planet to oversee the life of your child- and He chooses you. He doesn’t make mistakes. However you became you a parent, however, you were born into this world, however, your child was born, there was no error on His part. Because of this truth, you can be confident as a parent and a person. He is interlacing our stories with His.

Understanding the three components at play offers us the confidence we need as a parent to believe we are precisely where we are supposed to be, parenting our children in a God-made Family. You are the RIGHT PERSON for the job.

Thank you for watching this month’s Online Parenting Class. If you are interested in learning more about understanding and owning your Story, check our next class, “How to Prepare Your Student for Life.” Also, If you think another parent would benefit from this encouragement, please share what you have learned.

And remember… be confident…Believe God is unfolding your child’s Story, God is still unfolding your Story, and God’s Story brings your stories together.

Social Media Swag

Parents are navigating the unexplored corners of the parenting world where no man or woman has gone before. No-one has parented your child before, so if it feels uncertain and risky, you are in the norm.

Our role, as parents, is to understand our children are in their formative years while they are under our care. To learn more, check your email for a short, encouraging parenting video.

Parents can find inspiration and hope in knowing God is revealing the Story of their children, but He is also not finished with their Story. To learn more, check your email for a short, encouraging parenting video.

His Story, one of love and pursuit, brings our Story as parents and the stories of our children together. His Story connects them all. To learn more, check your email for a short, encouraging parenting video.

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. 

 

 

How to Care for the Soul

Email 1

Copy/Paste the following email:

Subject Line: How to Care for the Soul

Dear (Insert Parent’s Name),

When you are a parent, you give, invest, and sacrifice for your family. We are so thankful for all that you invest in the lives of your children!

This month we want to take things in a little different direction and focus on you. It’s really simple. A healthy parent will lead their wild, fun, messy, (insert whatever word you need) family toward health.

This month we want to talk about your health. How are you doing? How are you caring for your soul as a parent?

Here is our coaching video for the month…

https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/368984523/4801fdc3b6

Praying for you as you ask yourself these questions!

(Insert Leader’s Name)

Email 2

Copy/Paste the following email:

Subject Line: How to Care for the Soul

Dear (Insert Parent’s Name),

We usually talk about ways that you can invest in the spiritual lives of your children. This month we are flipping the script and working on you. Are you caring for your soul?

If you missed this month’s coaching video, here is the link…

https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/368984523/4801fdc3b6

How are you doing with soul care? We know you give and give and give all day long with your family. When is the last time you looked deeply into your soul to see how you are doing?

We heard some helpful steps to take to ensure we are caring for our souls as parents. If you are going to put any of those in motion, then you are going to have to make one first, brave step. Calendar it, and don’t apologize for blocking off time for you to take care of your soul. Things get very real when we sit down with our calendar, and we start blocking off time. We see that goal, and we have the chance to work toward that goal. When you calendar soul care, you always have the opportunity to say no to other opportunities because it’s on your calendar!

If we can help you process any of these ideas, please email me back. We are here to help, and we are cheering you on!

(Insert Leader’s Name)

Video Script

Caring for Your Soul when You are Caring for Everyone Else

Welcome to this month’s online parenting class. We are so thankful for the spiritual impact you make each day in your child’s life, and it’s our joy to help you think about parenting each month. This month we are going to talk more about your soul more than the soul of your child or teenager.

Parenting well can leave us tired and sometimes overwhelmed. We know there is so much joy when it comes to our role as mom or dad, but there is also an immense amount of serving that goes into caring for our kids. Trust me, even parents of teens will tell you that it does not slow down, and the demands and problems just keep shifting. In the midst of caring for your family, how are you caring for your own soul?

Weariness is something the Bible actually talks about. We discover through different Old and New Testament writings people who are tired and actually admit it. They even admit to God how tired they are. The Psalmist writes….

Psalm 63:1 (NLT2) O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.

Parenting can feel like that. It can feel like a dry land where there is no water. It can feel like we are always giving and never receiving when it comes to soul care. Our challenge this month is for you to take your soul care personally. The greatest gift you can give your teen or child is your own healthy soul.

There are some steps you can take to care for your soul that will help you parent from a healthy place for the long haul. Here are a few of them…

1. Stop trying to be the perfect parent and be yourself with joy. / Trying to be something you are not only bringing more stress and emptiness into your life. God made you your child’s parent, so be the best you that you can be. Stop comparing yourself to other parents and go ahead and drop the image of the perfect parent you are trying to chase.
2. Make time for your spouse away from your kids. / This could be a date, it could be coffee in the morning on the back deck. The version you and your spouse choose makes no difference, but your soul needs that parental partner more than you even know. Fighting for marriage health always leads to better parenting because it links both of you together. Get that babysitter and get some time for your spouse on the calendar. If you are a single parent, then substitute this spouse idea with friends you have. You need other meaningful relationships in your life!
3. Find some space for spiritual growth in your week. / Prayer, church, meditation, reading, Scripture reading, small group…you need some time each week to be with the God that made you a parent. We worship God, not our kids, so why don’t we make intentional time for God as we do with our kids.
4. Find a mentor or counselor you trust deeply. / Yes, I said it. Get a therapist or find a mentor and get real. Discover more about your personality. Explore your weaknesses and what makes you angry. Dive into your past. What I am saying is that it’s ok to work on you. We all have things we need help with, and we all have blind spots. Mentors and counselors help us see our blind spots and give us the great insight we need.

One last tip as we close is to give yourself as much grace as you give out to your family. I hope you are giving grace to your kids. Find the freedom to give yourself that same grace and enjoy this season. This stage is temporary, so make sure and bring your best self to the daily journey of parenting.

Social Media Posts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The greatest gift a parent can give their kids is a healthy marriage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Give yourself as much grace as you give to your family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God believes in you. He chooses you to be the parent of your child, so believe and be the best you can be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a parent, caring for your soul enables you to care for the soul of your child. Don’t just survive. Thrive.

 

 

 

 

Discipleship Moments On The Go: Kids

Email 1

Copy/Paste the following email.

Dear (insert parent’s name),

Have you ever thought about how you pass on your faith to your kids? When would you do it with your packed schedule? Where would you even start!

This month we want to talk about how you, as a parent, can create discipleship moments on the go. Yes, in the middle of your already busy life, you can make a spiritual impact. Check out this month’s coaching video.

https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/368771014/dae5688bb7

We hope you will put some of these ideas into motion this month! Email me with any questions and know we are praying for you.

(insert leader’s name)

Email 2

Copy/Paste the following email.

Subject Line: Discipleship Moments On The Go

Dear (insert parent’s name),

This month we are talking about how to create discipleship moments on the go. If you missed this month’s coaching video, take just a few minutes and watch it now.

https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/368771014/dae5688bb7

Those five simple ideas are all steps you can take in the normal rhythm of your life. That is the key to creating discipleship moments. You have to choose to be strategic. Most parents think their lives are too busy to be effective, but with just a little be of strategic planning, you can bring Jesus into the normal flow of life. When you choose to be strategic, you don’t try to do everything, but rather, you try to do a few things with purpose and focus.

The challenge we make to parents all the time is to imagine the end. Imagine what you want for your kids spiritually. Let that be the fuel to find discipleship moments on the go this month.

You can do this, and we are cheering you on!

(insert leader’s name)

Video Script: Kids

Discipleship Moments On The Go

Welcome to this month’s online parenting class! This month we are going to talk about one of our favorite topics. We are going to help you consider what it looks like to pass on your faith to your child on the go. In the middle of normal life, we give you simple things can you do to share your faith with your kids. 

The idea of influencing our kids spiritually is really intimidating for most of us. We just don’t feel qualified and we live in a culture that relies on experts to teach our children. There are camps, classes, training videos, mentoring for every issue with our families and we look at the church as the expert to pass on the faith to our children but that’s not the only way God intended faith to be shared. There’s this moment in the Old Testament where a man named Moses gives some advice to God’s people…

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (NLT) 4 “Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. 5 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

Moses makes it really clear. Love God with focus and passion and reveal your faith to your children as you go. Obviously Moses did not raise your child so this is a little more complicated than it sounds in 2019 but the plan is simple and it works when we make it a priority. Most of passing on our faith happens as we go through the process of normal life and as our children grow up and face more complicated situations. Moses is inviting us to bring our faith into those conversations as life happens so it’s not forced. 

As a parent, here are ways to consider investing spiritually into our children as we move through life. Here are 5 moves you can make as a parent…

1. Backpack Notes / You can do this with your kids’ lunchbox or backpack, just drop them a note of encouragement and a Bible verse. Make it a surprise and switch up when they get it, kids love surprises. Notes allow you to say things that your kids need to be reminded of and it lets them know you are thinking of them. If you have boys make your cards cool…avengers, star wars, you get it!
2. Dinner Check-in / Once a week make sure you are having a meal together as a family where everyone has a chance to check-in! It’s really simple, ask each person to share something they are excited about for the week ahead and something they need prayer for. You lead the way as the parent.
3. Empower Spiritual Habits / Get your son or daughter a simple devotional guide and help them get in the habit of using it several nights of the week. It’s important for us to encourage our kids to engage the Bible and pray more than on Sunday.
4. Prayer Ask / Make it a habit to ask your child how you can pray for them. Just ask, how can I pray for you today and then actually pray for that need. Intentional prayer gives you a chance to show your child you trust God with small things in real life.
5. Sunday Recap / Don’t just go to church and allow it to be left at church. On the drive home or at lunch on Sunday take time to allow each person in the family to share what they experienced on Sunday through the experience. Talking through Sunday helps what was experienced become more real.

I am hoping that these ideas got you thinking. You can pass on your faith. God can use you to lead your child toward Jesus. We are praying for you this month as you try some of these. 

Facebook, InstaSwag, and Twitter

TIP: Choose a hashtag for your tweets and use consistently. This practice tells Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to store a list of your tweets in one place for a later reference.

Leverage these posts this month on your social media feed for parents! We also included a few Instagram posts for you.

Influencing children spiritually will always involve the influence of parents.

We, as parents, need to encourage our kids to engage the Bible and pray more than just on Sunday.

Creating discipleship moments with kids on the go is all about creating natural moments for spiritual conversations.

Parents: love God with focus and passion and reveal your faith to your children as you go.

The idea of influencing our kids spiritually is intimidating for most of us because we don’t have a plan.

Intentional prayer gives you a chance to show your child you trust God with small things in real life.

It’s important your child knows you are praying for them and that you don’t have all the answers.

With kids, simple notes allow you to say things as reminders, and it lets them know we are thinking of them.

Laughter and fun invite moments of trust, connection, and conversation.

Don’t overcomplicate discipleship with your kids. Keep it simple and consistent. 

 

 

Defeating Loneliness as a Parent

Email 1

Copy/Paste the following email.

Subject Line: Defeating Loneliness as a Parent

Dear (Insert Name of Parent),

We want to help parents be as healthy as possible because emotionally and spiritually healthy moms and dads make better parents.

This month we want to address an issue many of you face daily…

Many days you are lonely.

You probably don’t know who to talk to about this. You probably feel guilty for feeling this way. We don’t have all the answers, but we hope this month’s video is refreshing to your soul.

We want you to know, we see you. Parenting can be lonely, so we created a video just for you.

Set aside five minutes for a little parenting inspiration. Click here to watch.

https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/360695361/901c0db57f

You are worth it.

Partnering with you,

(Insert Leader’s Name)

Email 2

Copy/Paste the following email.

Subject Line: Defeating Loneliness as a Parent

Dear (Insert Parent’s Name),

This month we have been talking about an issue that many parents experience. Many of you feel isolated and lonely. If that is you, you are not alone.

Earlier in the month, we sent out an encouragement video. If you missed it, click here…

https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/360695361/901c0db57f

You may watch the video and your thoughts race when it comes to loneliness. Let me encourage you with one more thought.

Good intentions will not help move you out of loneliness.

If you want to break the cycle of isolation, you have to take some relational risks and change your routine. See some wise counsel on how and what this looks like for you.

At the moment you are going to feel insecure, but I promise that when you take a wise relational risk, you are meeting a need. Ask someone to coffee, walk with a friend, join a Bible Study, or engage more with the Church community.

I am praying for you this month. If you need to talk, please reach out by email!

Partnering with you,

(Insert Leader’s Name)

Video Script

Defeating Loneliness as a Parent

Welcome to this month’s online parenting class. We are going to head in a different direction this month because we’re not going to talk much about being a better parent. This month we are going to talk to “you about you” because a healthy mom or dad is a better parent. We are going to talk about an issue that most people are afraid to talk about. The truth is that many parents feel very isolated and lonely so how do we as parents defeat loneliness.

I know we are not sitting in a coffee shop having this conversation but if we were some of you would be nodding in agreement. Parenting can be lonely and we feel guilty for even feeling it. We expect parenting preschoolers to be isolating but we think it will get better as the kids get older. In some cases, it does but in each season of parenting friendships you can really trust shift and change. Many times as parents we get so wrapped up in work, the demands of our homes, and our kids schedules that we live in a constant state of survival with little room for friendship.

You may be thinking that this is not a big deal but it is because isolation and feelings of loneliness lead us to embrace some common traps…

• We lose perspective and believe that our kids are the only ones struggling.
• We lose confidence and doubt our parenting instincts.
• We lose gratitude and can’t see the good things about our teens.
• We lose hope and believe cynicism is the only answer.

There is so much to gain from defeating loneliness and moving out of isolation and you are the only one that can make the change. This has nothing to do with your children or teens. You have to choose to open your life to some other meaningful relationships.

Here are a few questions to get you thinking about some steps you can take to move beyond the isolation you feel…

1. How engaged are you at your church? // For many parents, they feel isolated but they have chosen to be casual with one place where Christians gather each week to connect…church. I’m not just talking about dipping in a service and then dipping out. I am asking are you plugged into a group? Do you serve with other adults? Do you make time to actually connect with others at church? Are you in a men or women’s discipleship group? Your church is a great place to start looking for meaningful relationships but they will not come without effort on your end.
2. Do you have a mentor? // Do you have another mom or dad ahead of you that you can meet with just to ask questions and learn from? That is a mentor. You probably need someone ahead of you to help you. Think about someone you respect deeply and ask them if they would meet up once a month or once a quarter just so you can ask questions and learn.
3. Are you engaging other parents around you? // This is a big one. Are you working to make connections with other parents as you live your normal life? Think about the last time you actually started up a conversation at baseball practice instead of reading a book or looking at social media. There are people around you that might be great friends if you took the time to get to know them.

These are just 3 places to start. This month, go for it! If you are lonely and isolated talk about with someone you trust and take some steps out of that space!

Facebook, InstaSwag, and Twitter

TIP: Choose a hashtag for your tweets and use consistently. This practice tells Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to store a list of your tweets in one place for a later reference.

An emotionally and spiritually healthy mom or dad is a better parent.

Parenting can be lonely. You are not alone.

As parents, we get so wrapped up in work, the demands of our homes, and our kids schedules that we live in a constant state of survival with little room for friendship. Make room for real friendship.

Loneliness as a parent can make us lose perspective, confidence, gratitude, and hope.

Defeating loneliness as a parent can be done, but it comes with a choice to work on it over time.

To fight back loneliness, work to make connections with other parents as you live your normal life.

Despite living in a digital age, statistics show proximity is the strongest predictor of friendships.

Look for friendships within your town or community, not just digital. There are people around you that might be great friends if you took the time to get to know them.

 

How to Plan Intentional Spiritual Moments During a Busy School Year

Email 1

Copy/Paste the following email:

Email 2

Copy/Paste the following email:

Video Script

How to Plan Intentional Spiritual Moments During a Busy School Year

Welcome to this month’s online parenting class. Our goal each month is to be an encouraging voice in your life as you parent. This month we are going to talk about how to plan intentional spiritual moments with your kids during the school year. One thing we know happens as school gets rolling is our schedules get packed with meetings and practices and homework. For most parents we are glad they are back in school but we can find ourselves fighting to survive as the school year moves ahead full speed.

With every new school year we get a reset, a fresh start. This month we want to invite you to think about a goal you may not have considered. This is a long term goal for this year and it’s something that is going to take some work on your part as a parent. We want to invite you to think about how you could create a moment of blessing in the life of your child this year. We call these moments family experiences because you are creating a simple moment where you can speak blessings and spiritual truths into the lives of your children. Before we go any further let’s tackle a few fears you might have…

The first is…

I don’t know what to do. That’s the easiest one of all because if you are getting this coaching video your church already has a suggesting for you this year of your child’s life. They will help you know what and how do create this experience.

The second fear is…

I feel inadequate. Great, join the club. Parenting breeds insecurity in our souls because we love these kids so much and we don’t want to mess them up. God chose you to parent your child so He believes in you way more than you believe in yourself.

The third fear is…

I am way to busy. We all are busy but we can’t allow business to rob us of significant and fun parenting moments. Make sure you grab control of your calendar and make this a priority this year. You have months to prepare!

Let me give you 3 quick tips for how to plan a spiritual moment for each of your kids this year. Here we go…

First, Keep it simple. Think about your kids and how you could intentionally work a moment of blessing into the natural flow of the year. A great family experience / moment of blessing needs to fit you and your kids. Most of the time this kind of experience is just adding one more element to your child’s birthday. Make it work for your family and your child.

Second, Calendar it. This is a powerful and purposeful step. With each child place your goal and the day of that child’s family experience. What goes in our calendar gets done. What is a good intention slips through the cracks.

Third and final tip for you is ask for help! You don’t have to do this alone. Get church friends and other family involved. Ask your church leadership for the family experience guides. Adjust the plan to fit your family and feel free to Google or Pinterest other ideas!

We know back to school time is a busy time but look ahead this year and plan and intentional spiritual moment in the lives of your kids. We promise, you will never regret it!

Facebook Posts/Texts/Tweets

TIP: Choose a hashtag for your tweets and use it consistently. That will tell Twitter to store a list of your tweets on one place for later reference.

Tweet One: Planning a moment of blessing allows you to pull your children close even when they are pulling away.

Tweet Two: Our children need to hear that both their parents and God believe in them. Speak into them concrete, positive words about their character.

Tweet Three: God chose you to parent your child, so He believes in you way more than you believe in yourself. Together, with God, you have got this!

Tweet Four: We all are busy, but we can’t allow busy schedules to rob us of significant and fun parenting moments.

Tweet Five: When it comes to spiritual moments, keep it simple and make it personal.

Word Swag

Raising Kids That Lose Well

Email 1

Copy/Paste the following email:

Email 2

Copy/Paste the following email:

Video Script

Raising Kids That Lose Well

Welcome to this month’s online parenting class. Thank you for blocking off time to work
on your parenting. We pray each month this is helpful to you.

This month we are going to help you think about how to raise kids that lose well! Yes, I
said that correctly, this is not a mistake. We want to help you prepare your kids to have
success when they lose. When we talk about losing we are talking about any moment
when things don’t go like we want them to. It could be losing in the classroom. It could
be losing a close friendship. It could be losing games in the sport they play or having to
sit on the bench instead of starting. All of our kids are going to face times when they
lose…how will they handle it? What will their response be?

Let’s take this idea a little further down the road. Your child will grow up and you already
know that they will face seasons of losing. They will encounter a challenge in life where
they don’t get what they want. Helping our kids know how to lose well now is going to
help them lose with class later.

Here are a few tips to help your kids lose well…

Celebrate the process as much as the final result.

We all love to win but the fun that winning brings only comes through the process. We
oftentimes get so fixed on achievement that we miss all the joy of being on a team,
striving together with teammates, and the lessons we learn on the journey. The process
of striving for a goal is as important as the end result. We have to remind kids how
proud we are of them for going on the journey and not just celebrating the final result.

Stop blaming and encourage learning.

When we lose it’s easy to blame. Blame to coach. Blame the teacher. Blame the
weather. Blame the surprise problem that caught us off guard. What could happen if we
spent as much time learning when we lose as blaming others? When we stop blaming
and start learning we actually set our kids up for future success!

Celebrate others when they win.

This is so important for kids to start early in life. We all need to learn how to celebrate
with others when they win. There is nothing worse than people who tear others down
when they don’t win. This habit starts early, so help your child to strive to celebrate with
others when they win.

If you guide your kids toward these three principles of losing well then they will become
kids that lose well! Your influence matters, so show them the way.

Texts/Tweets

TIP: Choose a hashtag for your tweets and use it consistently. That will tell Twitter to store a list of your tweets on one place for later reference.

Tweet One: When kids don’t win, it’s the perfect time to help them learn rather than blame.

Tweet Two: Teaching our kids to lose well today helps them lose with class later.

Tweet Three: Celebrating with others when they win is as important as winning.

Tweet Four: How kids respond when they lose or don’t get their way reveals their character.

Tweet Five: Raising kids that lose well produces kids of deep character.

Tweet Six: The process of striving for a goal is as crucial as a result.

Tweet Seven: What could happen if we spent as much time learning when we lose as blaming others?

How to Help Your Kids Be Responsible

Email 1

Copy/Paste the following email:

Email 2

Copy/Paste the following email:

Video Script

How to Help Your Kids Be Responsible

Welcome to this month’s online parenting class. This month we get to talk to parents of
kids and teens. You are all amazing and we love these months when we get to talk to
parents as a whole. There are some things that your children need help with no matter
their age and this topic is one of them.

This month we want to help you raise kids and teens that are responsible! I think I just
heard a collective “amen” from all parents because this is a real struggle for all of us.
How do we help our kids be proactive and actually finish their chores? How do we help
kids get ready for school on time? How do we help our children follow through with their
commitments? It all boils down to responsibility and responsibility is something that
takes time to develop. The good news for you as a parent is that it can be learned even
if your child wins the most irresponsible child of the year award.

Before we share some simple responsibility tips let me just remind you about one
important step we have to take as parents when teaching responsibility. Staying angry
about your child’s irresponsibility is no help when it comes to teaching responsibility. So
often we take all this so personally. We actually believe our kids are trying to drive us
crazy when the truth is, most of the time, kids and just being kids. Responsible behavior
is learned and does not come naturally. The more you stay calm in the process the
more influence you will have and the more lessons you will be able to teach!

Be clear about your expectations and stand by them calmly.

If you want your kids to be more responsible with school, with chores, or with their
sports teams then you are going to have to make your expectations crystal clear. Most
of the times we have expectations that we assume our children understand and then
when it all falls short we blow up. Let your children know what you expect and then
stand by your expectations calmly as they learn.

Allow your kids to suffer the consequences of not being responsible.

We all tend to want to save our kids from the consequences of not being responsible,
but the only way kids and teens ever learn from their irresponsibility is to deal with the
natural consequences. Allow them to get points taken off their grade. Don’t allow them
to go to the movies if their rooms are nasty and not cleaned during the week. Let the
coach bench them when they make poor choices. Let your kids fail when they are being
irresponsible and they will start learning the benefits of responsibility.

Find hacks that help your child be more responsible.

You know your children better than anyone else so look for hacks (easy solutions) that
will help your child be responsible. Every person is unique and needs different
motivators to help them become responsible. Find what motivates them and leverage
that to help the process. Look for ways to encourage them and teach them.

We all want more responsibility from our children so let’s do something different. This
month try putting some of these tips to work and see if things begin to improve.

Texts/Tweets

TIP: Choose a hashtag for your tweets and use it consistently. That will tell Twitter to store a list of your tweets on one place for later reference.

Tweet One: Responsibility is a learned character trait, much like riding a bike. To nurture responsibility within your kid is trial and error. Offer patience, understanding, and consistency.

Tweet Two: You can nurture responsibility by looking for ways to motivate your kid unique to their personality.

Tweet Three: Communicate clearly, set expectations, stay consistent, and let natural consequences do the work of nurturing responsibility.

Tweet Four: A parent who remains cool, calm, and collected while nurturing responsibility in kids creates more opportunities for conversations.

Raising Spiritually Aware Kids

Email 1

Copy/Paste the following email:

Email 2

Copy/Paste the following email:

Video Script

Raising Spiritually Aware Kids

Welcome to this month’s online parenting class. Being a parent can be challenging and
our team just wants to be one voice cheering you on. God created you to parent your
child and speaking of God…this month we want to help you raise spiritually aware kids.

There is nothing quite as complicated for a parent as God and their children. Every
parent has their own insecurities when it comes to faith. That insecurity is what tries to
convince us that we have no place in helping our kids understand what it means to
follow God or have faith or read the Bible. We think we will mess everything up, but the
truth is that it’s impossible to mess faith up when you are being honest and pointing kids
to a God that loves them more than we ever could!

Raising spiritually aware kids begins with parents that consistently point their children
toward the love and goodness of God and not their own goodness. Our goodness and
our effort are not what lead kids to God. Our honesty and consistent pursuit of God is
what our kids need to see from us. What you pursue will shape what your kids pursue.

If you want God to be something your kids pursue then there are a few steps you can
consistently take…

Help your kids engage the Bible early.

This Bible is God’s story and God’s ways revealed to us, so getting kids to engage the
Bible opens the door to something bigger than just our own spiritual advice. There are
great versions of the Bible that are easy for kids to understand. Help your kids engage
the great moments of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus quickly and watch God work
in their lives.

Engage at church as a family.

Church is a place of community where you link arms with other families to pursue Jesus
and serve others. For many families, church has become an option and not a regular
part of family life. When your church engagement grows as a family your spiritual
influence grows because you have other people investing in your kids.

Make spiritual conversations a normal part of family life.

The more you talk with your kids about God when they are young the bigger that door
will be open as they grow into teens. Now is the time to talk about faith on a regular
basis. You can leverage meal times, bedtimes or car time, but just be intentional about
making time and starting the conversation. You can even listen more than talk or offer
advice!

You can lead your kids toward God and allow them to discover the love and goodness
of God over time. Be brave and allow God to use you!

Texts/Tweets

TIP: Choose a hashtag for your tweets and use it consistently. That will tell Twitter to store a list of your tweets on one place for later reference.

Tweet One: It’s impossible to mess faith up when you are being honest and pointing
kids to a God that loves them more than we ever could! #spiritualparenting
#awareparent #godlyparenting #mom #dad

Tweet Two: Raising spiritually aware kids begins with parents that consistently point
their children toward the love and goodness of God and not their own goodness. #goodparenting #greatgod #godlyparenting #spirituallyaware #godsdad #godlymom

Tweet Three: Our honesty and consistent pursuit of God is what our kids need to see
from us. What you pursue will shape what your kids pursue. #pursuegod #godlydad #godsmom #kids #children #family #parenting

Tweet Four: The Bible is God’s ways revealed to us, so getting kids to engage the Bible
opens the door to something bigger than just our own spiritual advice. #opendoors #godlyadvice #godsway #parentingadvice #biblicalparent

Tweet Five: When your church engagement grows as a family, your spiritual influence
grows because you have other people investing in your kids. #churchlife #home #familylife #godlyinfluence

Tweet Six: The more you talk with your kids about God when they are young, the bigger opportunities will be open to you as a parent as they grow into teens. #teenlife #parenting #familylife #opendoors #godlyparenting