Welcome to the Rooted Parent Top Ten, a curated list of resources from across the web that we believe will be helpful to parents. 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 share a message of common grace. (Please note: 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
The Carpool Question I Pray Every Kid Keeps Asking by Jared Kennedy (Child Discipleship)
“… it’s better for us to see middle childhood and the early-teen years as a time to train our kids to use the Christian “grammar” they’ve learned to evaluate the messages they encounter in both culture and their own hearts.”
Family Prayer Is Inconvenient and Worth It by Heather Barnes (Desiring God)
“Everyone at the table prayed — out loud. Not just Mom. Not just Dad. It didn’t matter how old the kids were. If you could talk, you got to pray.”
When Little League Games become Big League Idols by Cody Watson (Sovereignty in Motion)
“What does it profit our children to become great athletes if we have taught them that their value is found in what they accomplish? …What have we really gained if our child learns how to win but never learns how to worship?”
‘I Wouldn’t Change Anything’: The Pain and Blessing of Hard Adoptions by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra (The Gospel Coalition)
“You’re not rejoicing that life is good today. You’re rejoicing that God is good today. If you truly believe that God’s sovereign and he controls every step of your life, then the adoption wasn’t a mistake—it was part of God’s plan for your life.”
I Think I Ruined My Children by Vanessa Le (Gentle Reformation)
“Your children do not need a perfect mom; they need a repentant mom.”
Help Teens Navigate Friendship in the Social Media Age by Kathryn Eckhardt (The Gospel Coalition)
“While there’s nothing inherently wrong with posting pictures or using the like button, the pressure teens feel suggests social media subtly teaches them that popularity and influence matter over meaningful connections and personal character.”
Teen Culture
From Coping To Compulsion: How Screens Shape Young Men’s Lives by Joseph E. Davis, Michael Toscano and Ken Burchfiel (Institute for Family Studies)
“However, those who view pornography (63%) and gamble (66%) every day—along with day trading and playing fantasy sports—are significantly more inclined to see themselves as a failure.”
I Grew Up on ‘TGIF’ TV Appointment Viewing—Now I See Why This Weekly Family Ritual Mattered So Much by Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal (Parents)
“Boersma always tells parents that not all screen time is created equal, and co-viewing is practically the opposite of the mindless scrolling we worry about.
Psychotherapist Reveals 4 Habits That Could Help Raise Resilient Children by Lucy Notorantonio (Newsweek)
“She explained that a calm nervous system supports curiosity, creativity, emotional regulation and healthy risk-taking, while children burdened with adult concerns can experience unnecessary stress.”
How to do a tech detox with your teen by Jean Twenge (Generation Tech)
Bookmark this one for Christmas break: “Time for a reset. Any break from school is the perfect opportunity to find out what your kid is like without devices.”
Consider Reading With Your Family (A Back-to-School Bonus Article!)
Ten Ways to Savor Sundays by Joel Kurz (9Marks)
“Allow the day to be shaped by enjoying God through his Word, through his creation (good food and nature), and through his people.”
On Rooted
Parenting with the Holy Spirit: How God Meets Moms and Dads in Everyday Life by Katie Polski
Three Vital Steps for Wise Decisions About Your Child’s Schooling by Danny Beech
Parenting When Your Teenager Feels Distant by Georgina Witt
Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread… (The Lord’s Prayer for Parents) by Allyn Bock
Forgive Us Our Trespasses… (The Lord’s Prayer for Parents) by Brad Hough
Why Facing Your Fears Matters for Your Kids by Erin Wagberg
Helping Your Child Rest Without Becoming Idle by Steve Eatmon
The Good News That the Holy Spirit Sanctifies Us (podcast)
Cultivating Healthy Lifestyles in Teenagers (Adolescent Research, Scripture, and AAP, Part 5) (podcast)
