Worship/Faith
Hopes and Fears: Everyday Theology for New Parents and Other Tired, Anxious People: the authors have written a book about being not-perfect parents in a not-perfect world. The result is a joyous celebration of child-rearing in which any parent no matter how perfect can share.
'I want to have a happy and healthy marriage, and I want to have happy, faithful kids,' proclaims co-author McCleneghan in the introduction to the book. 'But I reject the pervasive cultural lie that a happy marriage and the faithful kids are somehow the byproducts of some rigorous and largely unattainable personal or moral perfection.'
Thus, this book is neither a 'how-to' book nor a mere meditation. Rather, the authors seek to find the beautiful and the spiritual in the sometimes mundane activities that parents have performed since the beginning of history, while at the same time allowing beautiful and spiritual insights of the past to inform and shape the activities of modern parenting.
Praying in Color Kids' Edition: This first-of-its-kind resource will forever change the way kids prayer - and how adults try to teach them to do it.
This is prayer that makes sense to kids. One minute a day will do. Any time of the day will work. Drawing with markers or crayons is h alf the prayer; the other half is carrying the visual memories throughout the day. Ages 5-11.
In the Midst of Chaos: Caring for Children as Spiritual Practice: The author shows us how to integrate and strengthen the practice of faith in the everyday (and often mundane) experience of raising children. It reveals what it takes to find the spiritual wisdom in the messy, familial ways of living. By rethinking parenting as an invitation to discover God in the middle of our busy and overstuffed lives, it relieves parents of the burden of being the all-knowing authority figures who impart spiritual knowledge to children. Finding spirituality in family activities such as reading bedtime stories, dividing household chores, and playing games can empower parents to notice what they are already doing as potentially valuable and to practice it more consciously as part of their own faith journey.
Parenting in the Pew - Sunday morning isn't a success if she has only managed to keep the kids quiet. And she knows there's more to church for kids than trying out their new coloring books. Children are at church for the same reason as their parents: for the privilege of worshiping God. This is essential reading for parents and worship leaders who want to help children make joyful noises unto the Lord.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Prayers: a book of tables blessings for families with young children - prayers for favorite foods, for special places, holidays, and family celebrations.
Children and Prayer: a comprehensive guide about how children relate to God
The 10 Best Ways to Ruin your Child by Israel Galindo (my education professor in seminary and is top-notch). The focus not on trying to "fix" our children, but on learning how to engage in better parenting behavior."3 of the 10: Tell your child to do something 2 or 3 times, Get involved in fights between siblings,
Do things for your child that she can do for herself
Sleeping with Bread: basic premise is about relcting on one's day by asking the questions "for what am I most grateful today" and "for what am I least grateful today?"
Real Kids, Real Faith: Practices for Nurturing Children's Spiritual Lives: In a culture that has lost touch with love, compassion, and meaning, how can parents be intentional about building a spiritual foundation for their child's develoment? The author offers resources to guide and sustain parents and children on their mutual journey.
Including children in worship - the resource that Park Road put together for parents to help with including children in worship and what we, as parents, can do to help before, during, and after to make worship a "success"
Pre-K worship materials: Each Spring, the ministers at Park Road BC spend some time on Sunday morning, talking with the children who will be transitioning into worship the next fall. This is a summary of what we cover. Topics include worship, communion, baptism, prayer, music, and the Liturgical Year.
How to talk to your children about God
Selecting a bible for children - blog from a friend of mine. Another one I would recommend is The Lectionary Story Bible and The Family Story Bible, all written by Ralph Milton.
To You - a beautiful poem about our children
General parenting help (discipline, all kinds of good stuff)
Parent Further - everyday parenting ideas from (a Search Institute resource for families). Click here to go to a specific e-mail sent to me entitled It isn't easy being a parent. If you click on the Parent Further link above, you'll have the opportunity to sign up for regular e-mails about everyday parenting ideas.
"From time to time, all parents need a little help. Sometimes, a piece of solid, encouraging advice can help you have an “a-ha” moment that changes the way you think and act. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong with kids, our positive, strength-based approach to parenting focuses on what’s right with kids (and parents), and the small, everyday steps you can take to help kids be successful in the future."
Love and Logic - "helps parents to have more fun and less stress while raising responsible kids of all ages". helps parents to have more fun and less stress while raising responsible kids of all ages". provides simple and easy to use techniques to help parents have more fun and less stress while raising responsible kids of all ages."
How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen so Kids will Talk
An excellent communication tool kit based on a series of workshops developed by the authors. They provide a step-by-step approach to improving relationships in your house. The "Reminder" pages, helpful cartoon illustrations, and excellent exercises will improve your ability as a parent to talk and problem-solve with your children. The solid tools provided are appropriate for kids of all ages.
Blessings of a Skinned Knee
Reflections on raising children in a world where entitlement and competition abound have struck a chord with thousands of readers. In a culture whose values are often at odds with the ones parents wish to uphold and instill, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee points the way to raising self–reliant, compassionate and ethical children. The book covers nine “blessings” that address key parenting issues such as:
- Teaching respect for adults
- Chores
- Keeping expectations in line with your child’s temperament
- Meal-time battles
- Coping with frustration
- Avoiding over-scheduling and overindulgence
- Helping your child develop independence and self-control
- a leader and partner for organizations around the world in discovering what kids need to succeed. Our knowledge and resources help motivate and equip caring adults to create schools, communities, and families where young people thrive.
- 40 developmental assets - common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible, successful adults.
Click here for the assets for ages 5-9
Click here for the assets for early childhood
Some books put out by the Search Institute
What Kids Need to Succeed: Proven, Practical Ways to Raise Good Kids
makes you an asset builder. It can get whole communities involved in working together for kids. Inspiring, practical, and easy to read,
Parenting Preschoolers with a Purpose
From bed-wetting and eating to bath time and siblings, this guide helps parents foster rewarding relationships with their preschoolers through practical, creative solutions to sticky everyday situations. Imaginative and innovative approaches to 40 common challenges not only solve the immediate problems but also enhance the parent-child relationship, while 15 common issues that parents find themselves facing, such as finances, isolation, job demands, guilt, sleep deprivation, boredom, and unsolicited advice, are tackled with simple yet effective solutions.
Activities on the Go: This compact, portable guide is packed with creative activities that are guaranteed to strengthen bonds between adult and child through simple, low-prep, low-cost suggestions designed to reinforce one-to-one relationships.
Discipline
101 positive principles of discipline
Backlash against overparenting
Articles
Love languages: website
Knowing your child’s love language can help improve your relationship with your child, ensure a sense of security, and strengthen communication once you learn to speak his or her love language. The key is to understand how your child interprets love.
Technology resources - some good resources on the effects of video gaming and advertising and television on your children
