ParentLife is a Christian parenting magazine for expectant parents and parents of infants, preschool A Christian magazine for parents of children 12 and under
It’s easy to fall into the trap of seeing our kids as our report cards. God calls us to train them, not to exasperate them, and to lovingly discipline them. So when they obey, that must mean we are succeeding, and when they disobey, we’ve missed the mark. Right?
Find out what Melissa Spoelstra has to say in our August issue.
A new school year for many means transitioning from Kids Ministry to Student Ministry. In Jean M. McLean's article "The Teen Transition," ministers Jaron Singley and David Green give parents tips for making this a smooth transition.
One of their best tips ... Early involvement is vital, especially for fall retreats or other starter events. Parents should do whatever is necessary - including chaperoning - to encourage their child's participation.
For more helpful tips from student ministers, check out page 44 of our August 2023 issue.
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken. —Psalms 55:22
Looking for a fun way to learn more about your kids and start meaningful conversations? Try this conversation starter: If you had a superpower, what would it be? A good follow-up question might be: What superpower do you already have?
We'd love to hear what your kids have to say! Post their responses below in the comments!
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Preteens LOVE would-you-rather-questions. Preference questions share many viewpoints without arguing. Make the options two really good things or two really yucky things. Try these:
Would you rather be able to fly or to dig deep? Why?
Would you rather crawl through a sewer pipe or eat yucky food? Why?
Would you rather run a mile or climb a mountain? Why?
Would you rather stay up late or get up early? Why?
As a parent, you've probably seen firsthand ... if kids miss getting enough sleep, they simply don’t do as well physically or mentally as they could otherwise. Consider this tip: Stop the use of screen time at least 30 minutes before your child’s bedtime. Everything related to screen time keeps the mind stirred up rather than allowing thoughts to rest and slow down.
For better quality and quantity of sleep for kids, check out Dixie’s article "A Good Night's Rest" on p. 32 of our August issue.
Hannah Anderson’s stirring words are joined by Nathan Anderson’s soft, realistic watercolors. Together they have created a book with a timeless aesthetic and readability, one that will resonate with families who celebrate the beauty of nature and the wisdom that comes from the world God made.
A new school year brings new homework challenges. Having a space set up for homework helps your child start (and therefore end!) homework more quickly and sets the tone for staying organized. Start good study habits young by creating a space for the students in your home.
Kristen White shares practical tips in her article "Study Station" on page 26 of our August issue.
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. —Psalms 56:3
Looking for a fun way to learn more about your kids and start meaningful conversations? Try this conversation starter: If you had $1,000, what would you do with it?
We'd love to hear what your kids have to say! Post their responses below in the comments!
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"God tells us that children are a precious gift from Him, made in His image. As such, God wants His gifts to be valued and cared for in His name." - Dolores Smyth
For more on caring for God's gifts, don't miss Dolores' article "Are Children Gifts from God?" in our August issue!
It's back-to-school season. That means it's time to start packing lunches again. Have you ever considered letting your child pack his own lunch? The successful packing of a school lunch all year long can be done with the proper setup and coaching.
Check out Erin Chase's (of $5 Dinners) article "Lunch Box Mix & Match" on page 24 of our August issue for easy grab-and-go healthy ideas!
In his article "Just the Two of Us," Tobin Perry explores the benefits of Daddy Dates and Mommy Moments.
"God wired each of our children quite differently. Our special time alone with each of them has become a vital part of discovering who God made each of them to be." - Tobin
Try one of these in your family and see if you agree!
Daddy Date - Tea time: Particularly if you have a younger daughter, set up a special time of cookies and hot tea. To take this to the next level, create a formal invitation you can send her.
Mommy Moment - Dinner and a movie: Teach your son how to ask a woman out for a date and how to treat a lady. Have him ask you out on a date. Give him money to pay for the evening. Show him how to hold the doors open for you and pull out your chair.
For more ideas for Daddy Dates and Mommy Moments, check out our July issue.
Even as an infant, you can help your child develop a love for words. Here are three phrases to say to your baby:
• “You’re safe with me.”
• “God made you a beautiful baby.”
• “I like you!”
What you say isn’t as important as how you say it. Tone, thoughtfulness, and pace matter more to babies than the words. BUT gracious words do matter because babies learn language for months before they express words and sentences.
Keeping your children entertained while in the doctor's office can be a major challenge for most parents. The next time you find yourself waiting, consider trying one of these games.
Floor tiles: Let your children take turns calling the next color to stand on.
Exam table paper: Use crayons that won’t poke through the paper to play dots, tic-tac-toe, or trace your child.
For more creative ways to keep your child busy in the waiting room, check out Karen Dockrey's article "The Waiting Room" in our July issue of ParentLife.
What do family haircuts have to do with the abundant life in Jesus? You might be surprised! Be sure to read author Scarlet Hiltibidal's insight in this month's "Mom's Life" column.
Looking for a healthy and easy option for entertaining at dinnertime this summer? Try creating a grilled cheese bar.
Begin by selecting several types of sandwich bread (consider including a good gluten-free loaf for those avoiding wheat).
Next, gather a collection of sauces (mayonnaise, various mustards, BBQ sauce, olive tapenade, apricot jam, and a vegan sandwich spread).
From there, select a wide variety of cheeses (from soft to goat to a more bold-flavored variety).
Last, pull together an assortment of toppings (deli meats, bacon, sliced avocado, olives, tomatoes, pickles, spinach, and fresh herbs).
For more ways your family can capitalize on the bounty of summer in fun, fresh, and delicious new ways, check out Cari Stone's article "The Delectable Days of Summer" in our July issue!
Summer is not over yet! There's still time to make family memories. Consider this great tip for vacationing on a budget: If you own a zoo or aquarium membership, you can often get free or discounted admission to other zoos and aquariums.
For more helpful ideas for making memories without breaking the bank, check out Vanessa Dolberry's article "Vacations on a Budget" on page 26 of our July issue.
Has your bookworm run out of things to read this summer? Consider these book recommendations from Kelly Wilson Mize.
For more book recommendations for all ages, check out Kelly's article "Family Book Wars" starting on p. 44 of our July issue!
🇺🇸 We hope you have a safe and wonderful day celebrating with friends and family! 🇺🇸
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"Mom, can I sleep over at my friend's house?"
Rather than waiting until your child asks about a sleepover, be proactive in initiating the conversation with her. If your family has decided that you will not participate in sleepovers, having discussed this topic prior to it being an active question on the table helps decrease future disagreements with your child. - Lorie Looney Keene
Read Lorie's article "Discussing Sleepovers" in our June issue for more tips for talking sleepovers.
"Kids who learn the spiritual principle of sharing grow up to be adults who love to share, and it does much to deter sibling rivalry." - Joanne Kraft
For strategies to prepare your kids to get along with others, check out Joanne's article "Stop the Fighting" on p. 44 of this month's issue of ParentLife.
Let's have some ! Ask your kids ...
Would you rather live at an aquarium or at a zoo? Post their answer (and any fun reasoning) below!
"Notice the little things. Noticing the little things in the natural world can heighten our sense of what's important spiritually as well. Just maybe those little things aren't so little. Maybe the little things matter more than we realize." - Tammy Darling
What other lessons can we learn from our kids? Check out "10 Things My Children Taught Me" on page 8 of this month's issue.
Happy Father's Day!
Be sure to read "Sage Fatherly Advice" by Amber Williamson on page 14 of our June issue for more words of wisdom from real-life dads.
And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. —Ephesians 4:32
Are you looking for ways to get your crew outside, active, and cooled off? Emily Pardy offers 10 super "cool" ideas in our June issue of ParentLife. Take a look at "Make a Splash" on page 26!
"Preparing our homes to have some spiritual influence is a wise investment and can be accomplished within any budget." - Shelly Wyrick
Take a walk through your house and make it an environment where faith can grow using creative suggestions from Shelly's article "Set for Success" on p. 32 of our June issue.
Looking for ways to keep your kids' minds active over summer break? Try this ...
Chalk Map. Sidewalk chalk isn’t just for young kids. Encourage older kids and preteens to let out their inner artists. Let them create a huge landscape on the driveway. Or outline the entire U.S. map and try to fill in all the states with their capitals.
For more summer learning ideas, check out Christi McGuire's article "Work That Brain" on page 38 of this month's issue!
So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. —2 Corinthians 4:18
"No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
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"A spoonful of laughter every day does the body good. Take time to crack a joke with your children and get those endorphins flowing. You'll smile and be glad that you did when you hear their laughter." -Tonya K. Grant
We want you to make us laugh! Leave your favorite, kid-friendly jokes in the comments!
And then go check out more about the benefits of laughing with your children in Tonya's May ParentLife article "A Spoonful of Laughter."
"If we are going to raise kids who discover and pursue God's design, we are going to have to teach our kids to swim upstream against the flow of the culture around us." - Jimmy and Kristin Scroggins
To hear more about how to teach your kids to pursue God's design for their lives, check out Jimmy and Kristin's article "God's Design" on page 46 of this month's issue of ParentLife.
It's here! Our latest edition of BabyLife is available now! BabyLife is a special edition of ParentLife for parents of infants and toddlers. Order now using the link below:
https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/babylife-23-P005846058
By the way ... BabyLife makes a great gift for new parents or for baby dedication!
"Create a countdown calendar: Hey, don’t kid a kidder! I know that you (and your kids) are already doing this step mentally. Might as well make it into a visual for everyone to acknowledge together. A countdown calendar is a fun way to physically “X” out the days leading up to summer break. Or simply have countdown cards magnetized to the refrigerator or other boards where everyone can participate in the anticipation of turning over the final card on the last day of school. Just reading that makes me excited!" - Dixie Walker
For more ways to find fun and finish school well, check out "End the School Year with Success" on p. 24 of this month's issue of ParentLife.
"We believe one of the most powerful gifts we can give our young daughters is to have real conversations about friendship now. We want them to have the tools to build deep, meaningful sisterhood much sooner than we did." - Amy Weatherly & Jess Johnston
If you enjoyed Amy and Jess's April 2023 ParentLife article "Helping Kids Make Friends," don't miss their books: I'll Be There (But I'll Be Wearing Sweatpants) for women and a version for preteens called I'll Be There (And Let's Make Friendship Bracelets).
"Sometimes as parents it can be tempting to think real discipleship happens when our kids start going to school or to leave the real spiritual teaching to the church professionals and merely supplement what they learn at church. But as parents, we are responsible for the discipleship of our children - even in the early years."
- Jenny Marcelene
For ideas for building a strong spiritual foundation for your young child, check out Jenny's article "5 Discipleship Ideas for Parents with Young Kids" in the April 2023 issue of ParentLife.
In her April 2023 ParentLife article, "A Permission Slip to Create," Ashlee Gadd reminds moms that God invites us to be active participants in the creative process.
So we want to hear from you. As a mom, what is your favorite creative outlet? Is it gardening, painting, or playing an instrument? Or maybe it's writing or drawing or crafting. There are so many options. Drop us a comment and share your favorite. You might inspire someone to try something new!
"I don't want to go to church!" Have you ever heard this from your child before? If so, remember these two things.
1. You are responsible for getting your child to church and for showing her how to do church just like you get her to school and show her how to study.
2. Not wanting to go to church almost never means rejecting God.
To explore the reasons kids resist going to church and what you can do about it, check out Karen Dockrey's article "I Don't Want to Go to Church" in the April 2023 issue of ParentLife.
📷: Photo by Daniel Tseng on Unsplash
He is risen indeed! We pray you have a wonderful Easter celebrating Jesus' resurrection with your family today!
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