Today, we are proud to publish the inaugural Rooted Parent Top 10- a list of parenting articles from across the web for the Rooted community. This list represents ten articles we believe will encourage and equip you as you parent your kids. At the end of the list we have included all of the parenting articles that ran on Rooted last month. If you have an article you’d like to contribute to the next edition of the Top Ten, please email Anna at anna@rootedministry.com.
Gospel- Centered Parenting
Parents Take Note of the Spiritual Practices Common to Kids Who Flourish As Adults by Trevin Wax (TGC)
This valuable article doesn’t pretend to give a magic formula for raising godly adults, but it does encourage parents to form habits and cultivate an environment that fosters spiritual growth.
Good News For Modern Parents by Harriet Conner (TGC)
Amidst all the bad news, modern parents need some good news. The Bible tells us we were made for more than momentary happiness, we don’t have to be perfect, and we don’t have to parent alone.
How to Help Your Children Read the Bible by David Murray (Desiring God)
This article takes a very practical approach to helping kids love Scripture; this wisdom is useful for parents with kids of all ages.
Youth Culture
What’s Wrong With Dressing Immodestly for Attention? by John Piper (Desiring God)
John Piper thoughtfully explores what provocative clothing is all about- and how we can talk with our daughters about pursuing more than the attention of and power over other people.
What If Children Should Be Spending More Time With Screens? by Christopher Mims (Wall Street Journal)
Mims challenges parents to take a different approach to screen time, demonstrating how devices can be used to help children thrive, if parents are intentional and informed about useage. He suggests that using screens wisely is far better than being fearful of their potential for harm.
First Semester Was Not the Time of My Life by Sophie Lee (Grown and Flown)
Written by a second-semester college freshman, this article can be helpful for parents, but also might be useful to share with teens who think they are the only ones not enjoying freshman year. Lee’s honesty is refreshing and encouraging.
9 Things to Know About the Health Effects of Marijuana by Joe Carter (TGC)
Useful information for parents and teens.
Parenting Skills
When Is My Child Mature Enough to Leave Home? By Bob Kauflin (Desiring God)
“If we want to prepare our kids to live on their own, we should prepare them to recognize they need help — from God and from those he places around them.”
Divine Words for Desperate Parents by Nancy Guthrie (TGC)
Exerpted from Guthrie’s excellent devotional, The One Year Book of Praying Through the Bible For Your Kids, this article instructs parents about how to pray Scripture for their kids of all ages.
Talking With Teens
What Makes A Guy A Keeper? by Kari Kampakis (karikampakis.com)
This is one to share with your sons and daughters, helping them discern what matters -and what doesn’t- in relationships. It pairs nicely with the Piper article above, as both articles can guide kids to discern what outward expressions of a strong relationship with God will look like in the opposite sex.
Rooted Parent
Advocating For Your Child: Guidelines for Would- be Helicopter Parents by Tracey Rector
The Bible doesn’t say much about how to advocate for our children, but it does give us a compelling example of the one who advocates for us: Jesus Christ. By applying Jesus’ example to our role as parents, we can see more clearly when and how we should step in to provide the defense of and encouragement to our kids they need.
Excuse Or Forgive? Teaching Our Children to Cope With Offenses by Meredith Exline
How we respond to offenses as parents will shape our children’s responses in the future.
Sex Education Curriculum For Families and Parent Conversation Guide (Rooted)
Rooted has produced a set of sex education podcasts for teenagers and parents. The idea is that kids can listen to the audio in privacy through a phone or iPod. Then, after listening to the episodes, parents and kids can discuss the content together without the awkwardness of sitting through the content together.
