Ideas for Parents

We make plans for our finances, jobs, home purchases, finances, vacations,... but do we make plans for one of our biggest blessings? Our children!

Contrary to many opinions, parents still have a tremendous influence on their children. Below are some ideas you can incorporate into your plans for your family.

What are some things we can do with our kids?

  • Movie Night - Pick a movie to watch together. If unsure about the content (child-friendly or teenager), check out plugged-in online or preview it. Some of these have links to the movie home page.

  • Strive for Five - Plan to sit down and eat a meal together as a family five times a week.

  • Date Night - Be sure to leave time for you and your spouse to connect. One of the best things we can give to our children is a healthy marriage.

  • Plan and Go on Family Vacation - Great time to unplug from routine and invest in family.

  • Family Devotions - Gather together and read from God's Word. Talk about it with your kids. Ask questions. Take prayer requests and take turns praying.

  • Meet at the Stairs - Pick a time each night for the family to meet at the stairs (or another central point in the house) and share about the day and pray.

  • Prayer Journal - Write everyone's name on the day you are together. Write down the requests from each person. When the requests are answered, share them with the family. Helps kids see that God is active and they can trust Him. It is also fun to go back a year(s) later and see what everyone was praying for.

  • Go Through ApParent Privilege with Your Home Group in 2024 - A great four-week series you can do with your home group. See Ken for details. The book in the series is ApParent Privilege by Steve Wright.

  • Family Worship - Read Scripture together. Sing a song (someone can play piano, guitar,...) or pick a song and sing with the CD or iPod. Pray. Let the kids select the song or Bible story. Build spiritual memories your kids will one day look back on and be encouraged. May they do these with their children, your grandchildren.

  • Go on a Mission Trip Together (Father-Son, Mother-Daughter,...)

  • Serve Locally Together - Serve a local charity or needs-based ministry together. mChuck ministry coming again in June/July 2025.

What are some books on parenting?

There are a lot of good books on parenting. Pick one and begin.

  • Bringing Up Boys - James Dobson

  • Boys Passage, Man's Journey - Brian Molitor

  • Bringing Up Girls - James Dobson

  • Girl's Passage, Father's Duty - Brian & Kathleen Molitor

  • For Parents Only - Shaunti Feldham

  • Youth Culture 101 - Walt Mueller

  • Rite of Passage - Jim McBride

  • Parenting - Paul David Tripp

What are some movies for teens and parents?

  • The Forge

  • The Chosen

  • Ordinary Angels

  • Lifemark

  • The Jesus Revolution

  • Overcomer

  • Indivisible

  • Run the Race

  • Unconditional

  • Greater

  • Alison's Choice

  • Woodlawn

  • Do You Believe

  • War Room

  • Risen

  • Facing the Giants

  • Courageous

  • Flywheel

  • When the Game Stands Tall

  • Travel the Road

  • The Case for Christ

  • Unplanned

  • I Still Believe

  • Unbroken, Path to Redemption

  • I Can Only Imagine

  • Like Arrows