Parenting in this wild, modern world, with our fast-paced lifestyle and ever-evolving technology, presents unique challenges to developing kids with wholesome morals that value the Christian faith. It’s essential for parents to adapt their parenting strategies in this new age. Here are some valuable tips to help you navigate the journey of parenting school-aged kids in today’s world that will nurture confident, healthy, and virtuous kids with a blossoming love for Jesus.
- Open and Empathetic Communication: Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful parent-child relationship. Encourage your child to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns openly. Show empathy and active listening to create a safe space where they can ask tough questions and feel heard and understood.
- Set Realistic Expectations: It’s crucial to set age-appropriate and realistic expectations for your child’s academic and extracurricular activities. Avoid placing undue pressure on them to excel in every area. Instead, focus on their personal growth and development, and help them see that they’re more valuable than their activities and achievements.
- Establish Boundaries for Safe Screen Time: In today’s digital age, children are surrounded by screens. Establish clear boundaries for screen time, ensuring they have ample time for outdoor activities, hobbies, and face-to-face interactions. Stay on guard and know what your children are watching on screens. Remember the old adage: “Garbage in, garbage out.” Don’t assume everything your child is watching is spiritually safe for them. The world’s media is often completely antagonistic to Biblical values and can be very deceptive. Keep an active ear and listen to what your child watches, and when you hear something that challenges Biblical values, open up a conversation to help your child learn how it is the opposite of what your family believes. This practice will help them learn to discern and think critically for times when you’re not around to safeguard. Whenever possible use parental control tools to monitor their online activities and restrict access to the Internet to ensure their safety.
- Stay Informed and Involved: Keep yourself updated about the latest trends and issues in education, technology, and social media through Biblical parenting tools like Axis. This knowledge enables you to guide your child effectively, especially when it comes to online safety and digital literacy, and will equip you to have conversations regarding safe Internet usage. Have many conversations regarding cyberbullying, etiquette, and wise social media usage. Maintain an active presence in your child’s education and social life and actively engage in their hobbies and interests. Your involvement, support, and presence are invaluable.
- Prioritize Spiritual Health and Instill Values: Recognize the importance of your child’s spiritual health. Make room in your family’s schedule to attend a Bible-believing local church every Sunday in order to teach them to place their schedule secondary to the worship of God, the one who creates time itself, and to value the sacred and belonging to a faith community. Spend time with your children reading the Bible or listening to an age-appropriate Bible podcast. Spending time focusing on God will help with stress management and self-care, instilling peace and purpose in your child’s life. Teach your child essential values such as empathy, kindness, and respect for diversity. Encourage them to treat others with empathy and stand up against bullying or discrimination.
Parenting school-aged kids in today’s world can be demanding, but with patience, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to your child’s holistic development — body, soul, and spirit — you can navigate this journey successfully. Remember that parenting is a continuous learning experience, and your love and guidance are fundamental to your child’s growth and development in today’s complex world.