Teachable Moments in Christian Parenting

Teachable Moments in Christian Parenting - Parenting Like HannahIt’s easy to get overwhelmed in parenting. The demands on our time and energy seem never ending. Christian parenting can begin to feel like an unnecessary added burden. As a Christian parent, you don’t just feel responsible for keeping your kids alive and making sure they are somewhat decent people, capable of eventually facing the adult world. You now feel this additional responsibility to do everything anyone suggests, so you can be relatively confident your kids go to Heaven for eternity!

No wonder many parents just shut down! Denial seems a lot easier than all of the extra work it appears to take to raise your kids to become strong, faithful, productive Christians. After all, you can barely get them to brush their teeth on most days.

Continue reading Teachable Moments in Christian Parenting

What’s the One Question Every Christian Parent Should Ask?

What's the One Question Every Christian Parent Should Ask? - Parenting Like HannahIf you parent a toddler, your day is filled with questions. It’s one of the many ways young children explore the world around them and begin to understand it better. Millions of words have probably been written about the questions of children. We don’t often talk, though, about the questions parents should ask. I guess we view parenting as more of an ongoing lecture or a string of requests and commands.

There are a lot of questions you need to ask your kids. Most of them you probably ask daily like “Did you brush your teeth?” or “Have you finished your homework?”. There is one question I am beginning to realize many parents don’t ask nearly enough. For Christian parents it is an essential question, because it helps you get to the heart of the situation more easily. Christian parenting after all, is a focus on shaping the hearts of our children so they will seek and obey God.

Continue reading What’s the One Question Every Christian Parent Should Ask?

How to Play With Kids (And Teach Them About God)

How to Play With Kids (And Teach Them About God) - Parenting Like HannahOne of our new Teach One Reach One workshops is for parents of children who have experienced trauma and abuse. As I was working through it, I realized just how much we can teach our kids about what God wants for them and from them by being more intentional when we play with them.

Playing with your kids is so important.. Learning through play only works well when your kids are playing with you. Playing with other kids the same age (with no adult interaction) doesn’t work well for learning godly principles and behaviors. In fact, it can reinforce bad habits. Having an adult interact with them during play is what really helps kids learn godly principles.

Continue reading How to Play With Kids (And Teach Them About God)

It’s Foot Washing Time!: Fun, Flexible Family Devotional

It's Foot Washing Time!: Fun, Flexible Family Devotional - Parenting Like HannahIt’s time for another fun, flexible family devotional! Just gather the items needed from around your house. Then choose which of the three Bible stories and application principles you think your kids need the most. Grab your kids and have fun teaching them about God!

Supplies: Bible, shallow basin (a bucket or disposable aluminum roasting pan will work if needed), water, towel

Procedure: Choose one of the following Bible stories and application principles to be the focus of your lesson.

Continue reading It’s Foot Washing Time!: Fun, Flexible Family Devotional

Fun Ways to Teach Kids Self-Control

Fun Ways to Teach Kids Self-Control - Parenting Like HannahWant your kids to be more obedient? Want them to make more godly choices? Want them to have healthier relationships? Want them to do well in school, work or almost anything they undertake? Self-control is the key.

I don’t know why we don’t talk about it more, but self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Which tells me several things:

  • Self-control is vital for living a Christian life.
  • Self-control is difficult without the extra help the Holy Spirit can provide.
  • Self-control is something our kids need to practice before they are old enough to become Christians, so it will be even easier for them once they have the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Received at baptism. Acts 2:38)

So what are some things you can do to help your kids practice self-control? You might think practicing self-control would be boring, but your kids will enjoy doing these activities.

Continue reading Fun Ways to Teach Kids Self-Control