Welcome to the Rooted Parent Top Ten, a curated list of resources from across the web that we believe will be helpful to parents raising teenagers. Here you’ll find articles, podcasts, and videos to support you in gospel- centered discipleship and interpreting youth culture. While most are gospel focused, others are included because they include a message of common grace. (The opinions presented in these articles do not necessarily reflect the position of Rooted Ministry.) At the end, you’ll find Rooted resources compiled from the last month’s new offerings. We hope this resource is helpful!
Gospel-Centered Parenting
Sometimes You Need to Be Laughed At by Lisa Nikkel, mbird.com. “Children are a blessing because they laugh at us. When we are taking things too seriously, when our tendency is to move towards isolationism and withdraw, when all we want to think about is ourselves and our comfort — children force us not to. They do this simply by existing.”
Listen Well to Love Well by Jessica B. Desiring God. This one isn’t strictly for parents, but we can get so caught up in teaching and guiding our kids that we forget this absolutely crucial component of discipleship. “Even now, Christ lives to hear and intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25). So, since we have his ear 24/7, might we lend our ear to our brother for a few minutes? Just as we love because he first loved us, so too we listen because we’ve been listened to.”
The Messy Sanctification of Parenting by Kate Wartak, mbird.com. “When we opt for the suction-cup plates, we may be depriving our children of the parenting they need — and ourselves of becoming the parents they need, because it’s actually the messiness of food on the floor and interrupted sleep that transform me into the mom that my daughter needs me to be.”
You Don’t Love Your Daughter by Forrest McPhail, rootedthinking.com. “I don’t mean that you don’t love her at all. You don’t love your daughter like God loves you. Every time that little girl turns around, she gets disciplined.”
The Gospel According to Youth Sports by Jonathan Carone, mbird.com. “The scandal of grace is that it is unearned love at the exact moment it makes the least sense. It’s an encouragement when you’ve messed up, kneeling down to pick you off the ground when you missed the shot — the I-still-love-you when the game ends and your kid doesn’t win.”
5 Dangers to Avoid in Parenting by William Boekstein, Ligonier.org. “When children say, “I don’t care” or “It doesn’t matter,” they are often conveying discouragement. It is tempting to dismiss a dispirited child’s behavior as being teenager-ish or childish. But parents must resist assuming that their child’s indifference is normal. In fact, there are hosts of young people who are passionate about life and enthusiastic in godliness. But sometimes this passion is squelched by parental provocation.”
Teen Culture
It’s Never Too Late to Turn Things Around by Andrea Davis, After Babel. “One of my favorite pieces of parenting wisdom I’ve told my kids over the years is this: ‘I reserve the right to be wiser today than I was yesterday.’ And never has this line been more true than when raising kids and teens in the digital age.”
Children Are Not Adults by Brad Littlejohn, World.org. “Ironically, a child born that summer [2004] may today be buying his first beer after providing ID but has been able to access hardcore pornography with just the click of a button.”
Teens Spend a Frightening Amount of Time on Phones While Driving by Thomas Westerholm, Newsweek. “According to the researchers, many teens spend an average of 21% of their driving time looking at their phones. Meanwhile, 70% of students reported taking long glances at their phones while driving.”
To Share With Your Teenager
Christian Athlete, Do You Know Your #AO1? By Jonny Reid, TGC. If you are raising an athlete, you will want to read and discuss this with your teenager. “He saved us not because of our performance but because of his grace. He walks with us not to berate us but to guide and strengthen us. Christian athletes may know all this, but we only find freedom as we learn to live these truths in the locker room, on the field, and after the game.”
On Rooted
When a Parent Runs Low On Energy by Danny Kwon
The Freedom of Letting Go: Trusting God with Your Teen’s Heart by Katie Polski
How Can God Be Good Amid So Much Suffering? Answering Your Teenager’s Questions About Faith by Parker Hudson
Scripture Before Phone by Justin Whitmel Earley
Using Your Family’s Time Wisely by Steve Eatmon
Helping Your Child Think Biblically About Service and Identity by Lindsey Carlson
Rooted Parent Podcast: Is There Really A Time for Everything?
Rooted Parent Podcast: You Can’t Do It All- And That’s a Big Relief with David Zahl
Asian American Parenting Podcast: Faith and Academics with Pastor Jason Min
Asian American Parenting Podcast: What is Family Ministry? With Terrence Shay
