Christians Do It Better

By Alisa Miller

Raising children can be hard enough, but trying to keep the values and religious focus that is important to Christian families within the scope can be even more challenging. That’s why this list of tips, tools, and resources is a must-read for any family wanting to make sure their children receive the best Christian upbringing possible. From general parenting tips to resources for teens to homeschooling groups, the following list gives a well-rounded approach to providing the best for your Christian family.

General Parenting Tips

No matter how young or old your children are, be sure to include these suggestions in your parenting routine.

1. Pray. Thank God for your blessings in your family every day. Not only is prayer itself important, but allowing your children to see you pray will encourage the same in them.
2. Share meal time. Eating together at the table and away from the TV not only shows that each member of the family is valuable, but that family time holds a place of importance.
3. Respect others. Teach your children to respect others and to respect authority by example.
4. Teach compassion. Just as Jesus did in His teachings, teach your children to care about and respect the feelings of others.
5. Teach right and wrong. Make sure your child knows the difference between right and wrong from an early age and reinforce this lesson by living the same way yourself.
6. Work ethic. Instill a strong work ethic from an early age. Have young children help with chores around the house and have older children take on more responsibility both in the household and in the community as they mature.
7. Use discipline. Discipline is setting boundaries, letting your child know those boundaries, and setting consequences when the boundaries are broken. Discipline does not necessarily mean physical punishment as there are other ways of enforcing the rules also.
8. Love unconditionally. Let your children know that you love them no matter what they do. Love your children as God loves his children.
9. Say you are sorry. Teach your child forgiveness by telling them you are sorry when you make a mistake.
10. Be a good role model. Your children look to you for guidance even when you don’t know they are looking. Always do your best to be the person you want your children to be.

Tips for Babies and Toddlers

It’s never too early to start teaching your children the fundamentals of Christianity. These tips will help you know what to do.

11. Say prayers. Start praying with your child while your baby is tiny and you will establish a habit. Once your baby gets a little older, she will not even remember not ever sharing this special time.
12. Read Bible stories. Choose an age-appropriate Bible for your child and share Bible stories during family time or reading time.
13. Sing Christian songs. There are so many wonderful Christian songs for small children. If music is not your gift, borrow or buy a CD with Christian songs.
14. Be patient. Remember that your child is not a small adult but a new being with special gifts and challenges making his way through an adult world.
15. Listen. If your children learn the importance of listening from you, they will become good listeners themselves and better able to help others as adults.
16. Have a parent stay at home. If at all possible, have either mom or dad stay home with your child while they are young. There is no substitute for the values you want to impress than those you teach yourself.
17. Have a support network. Parenting is a difficult job. Be sure you have a support network in place so you don’t feel so alone.
18. Give yourself some breaks. Being a good parent doesn’t mean you never have time away. Find ways to get breaks from parenting so you can be a stronger parent.
19. Mother’s Day Out. If your church doesn’t have a MDO program, find a church with your similar beliefs that does. Typically, these programs provide a few hours a week for preschool children to play and enjoy fellowship in a Christian setting while Mom gets a chance to run errands or catch her breath.

Articles and Resources for Christian Parenting

Get advice and suggestions from others with these helpful articles and online resources.

20. MomSense. This online resource for Christian moms offers everything from parenting advice to support to ways to nurture your family’s faith.
21. Children 111: Parental Bible Goals for Raising Godly Children. If you would like a set of goals accompanied by the appropriate scripture to follow for rearing your children, then this is a great resource for you.
22. Raising Christian children in a pagan culture. This article offers a wealth of advice and suggestions for bringing up your children in a Christian way.
23. Raising Children with Christ, Compassion, and Commitment. This priest offers five steps from his own experience with his family to ensure that you are doing all that is possible to give your children the best upbringing.
24. Parents for Christ. Parents can find articles on parenting, a mother’s blog, devotionals, activities to celebrate holidays, and much more.
25. Raising Christian Children. This advice from Christ Church in Middletown, NJ offers suggestions for every developmental stage from birth through the teen years.
26. Christian Parenting: Making a Difference. This article offers great advice on Christian parenting and also offers links to other thoughtful articles touching on specific aspects of parenting.
27. Christian-Parenting.com. This resource offers advice for parenting, suggestions for activities, and homeschooling help too.
28. Christian Parenting 101. Take this free 8-lesson course on Christian parenting to help you find your focus and do the best job possible for your family.
29. Family Answers. This resource offers answers to a long list of common parenting concerns. Find your answers here.
30. Family Impact. Find articles and tips on every aspect of parenting from rude teenagers to family fun. Some of the material here is available for a fee.

Connecting with other Christian Parents

Don’t feel you are alone in this parenting journey. Connect with other Christian parents with these resources.

31. Gentle Christian Mothers. This site offers support through articles and forums to help Christian mothers minister to their children, become more gentle parents, and grow their love for both their husbands and children.
32. Crosswalk.com. This resource for parents offers articles, movie reviews, blogs, and forums for Christian parents to become better informed and find support and advice.
33. Christian Parents Forum. Connect with other Christian parents and discuss topics such as raising Christian children, education, and keeping your marriage strong.
34. MOPS. This group of Christian Mothers of Preschoolers offers support meetings within communities and online as well. Join the forums here to find other moms.
35. Christian Parenting Meetup Group. Find a Meetup group near you for face-to-face meetings or just join in online if there is not one near where you live.
36. ADHD of the Christian Kind. Despite its name, this resource offers online support for parents of children with ADHD, bipolar, and other special needs.
37. Christian Mommies Community. In addition to connecting with other Christian moms, you can find devotionals and articles on this site.
38. JustMoms.com. Christian moms can meet online through the discussion boards, participate in online Bible studies, request prayers, get praise reports, and much more.
39. Raising Them Christian Family. This group appears to just be getting off the ground, but join in this new online community to connect with other Christian parents.
40. ChristianMums. This site offers great ways for Christian parents (dads are welcome too) to connect through forums and blogs. Also find daily Bible verses, recipes, and more.
41. Christian Parenting on shelfari. This online book community hosts a Christian parenting group that offers online parent-to-parent support.
42. Focus on the Family Parenting Forums. Get advice from other parents on topics ranging from infanthood to teenage years, homeschooling, single parenting, and more.

Tips for Parents of Older Children and Teens

As your children begin to age and grow away from the dependence they once had on you, the family faces new challenges. Take these suggestions to create a smoother transition to adulthood.

43. Know their friends. Become involved in your children’s lives by knowing their friends and their friends’ families.
44. Stay involved with school. Become a regular fixture at your child’s school. Volunteer your time or set up a prayer group and not only will you get to spend some of your child’s school time with her, but you will also be intimately involved with what is happening at the school.
45. Know where they are. As your children get older and more independent, stay in touch with them and know where they are at all times and who they are sharing their time with.
46. Communicate. Always stay in communication with your children and teens by helping them feel free to talk with you and by your showing a genuine interest in their lives.
47. Share Bible time. Set aside a regular time to share scripture with your children. Here are some tips for making it a success.
48. Teach Christianity to your children. Don’t depend on the church to do all the instruction. Share what you know of Christianity to enhance what they learn at church.
49. Teach community service. Have your children participate in service for others without receiving payment in return.
50. Pray over problems. When your child has problems, talk about them together, then pray together to ask God for guidance.
51. Family devotionals. Participate in family devotionals together each day. Have your children take a turn at writing devotionals to share with the family.

Resources for Teens

From helpful articles to safe social networking sites, check out these resources especially for teens.

52. Christian Teen Devotionals. Teens who are trying to find their way in the world will enjoy these free online devotionals.
53. Chastity, Abstinence, and Dating. This site explains the difference between chastity and abstinence and offers suggestions and tips on how to date using both.
54. missionfirefly.com. This site offers creative Christian teens a place to post their art, devotionals, poetry, photography, and more.
55. ChristianSpace. A safe alternative to Facebook and MySpace, this site started by two dads offers a place for Christian teens to network.
56. Teen Grace. This social networking site is for teens to chat, share friendship, learn about new music, and develop a closer relationship with Jesus.
57. All 4 Teens. Christian teens can connect through forums and blogs as well as find fun Christian wallpaper, music, Bible studies, and more.
58. The Desperate. Just getting off the ground, this social network offers videos, music, and more for young Christians wanting to connect.
59. Speak Don’t Bleed. This support network is for teen girls age 12-20 who struggle with self-injury, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, or other self-esteem issues.
60. –Teens for Christ!. Currently undergoing a face lift, this site offers lots of links, message boards, member profiles, and more.
61. ChristianTeenagers.net. Chat with other Christian teens, find local events, and more on this social network.
62. 212 Degrees–Boiling Point. Mostly an eZine for Christian teens, this site also offers readers to send testimonies or get involved with the experience of helping maintain this Christian website.
63. Christian Teen Forums. Teens can get together online for discussions ranging from current events to the Bible to popular culture.
64. Christian Teen Lounge. Find games, forums, advice, prayers, and more on this site just for Christian teens.

Attending Church as a Family

Don’t keep your faith a secret. Be sure to incorporate going to church as a family affair.

65. Take your children to church. Start as babies and take your children with you each time you attend services. As they get older, they will embrace this part of their lives just as any other.
66. Visit church with younger children during off times . If you have toddlers, take them to church during the week to look around and talk about the significance of the building and the objects within the church.
67. Participate in sacraments. Whether it’s baptism, taking communion, or participating in specific holy days, make sure you participate as a family in sharing these important sacraments.
68. Attend church functions as a family. If your church is holding a fish fry, casserole night, or Christmas bazaar, be sure your entire family is there and realize the church is an extension of the family.
69. Sunday school. As soon as your child is old enough, have him attend Sunday school. Making the time for age-appropriate religious instruction is important to his spiritual growth.
70. Vacation Bible School. Have your child attend Vacation Bible School in the summer. If your church doesn’t offer this, find a church where the beliefs are similar for your child to attend. This opportunity not only strengthens religious instruction, it makes learning religion about fun too.
71. Encourage fellowship. Many churches offer fellowship times for children. Whether your child is in preschool or high school, encourage this time for her to make other Christian friendships.

Homeschooling

If you are homeschooling your children, these networks, organizations, and homeschooler blogs will provide you with plenty of support.

72. Christian Homeschool Network. Use this resource as a starting point for your specific network based on the state in which you live. Find tons of homeschooling resources here.
73. Exodus Mandate. This organization provides articles, news clips, and resources for Christian parents who want to take their children out of public schools and provide a biblically mandated education through private Christian schools or homeschooling.
74. HomeschoolBlogger.com. Get your own homeschool blog from this resource and then connect with other homeschoolers via their blogs.
75. Trivium Pursuit. This site offers resources and a blog to help you combine classical Christian education with homeschooling.
76. Sonlighters Club Forums. For homeschool families that use Sonlight Curriculum or are just interested in them, these forums are a great way for parents to connect.
77. Homeschooling Family to Family. For Christian homeschoolers, this organization provides an opportunity for experienced homeschoolers to mentor new homeschoolers.
78. First Class Homeschool Ministries. This site helps churches help homeschoolers through co-ops. Find a co-op in your area, start a co-op, or just connect online through the message boards.
79. Choosing Joy. This powerhouse of a homeschooling mama and wife of a pastor is in charge of her family’s education with nine children ranging from 3 to 23.
80. A Bowl of Moss and Pebbles. From the other side of the desk, this blog is written by a 17-year old Christian girl who is homeschooled and is an aspiring writer.
81. The Mango Times. Written by the father of a homeschooled family, a Christian and a practicing dentist, this dad offers his perspective as he serves as support to his wife and children and their homeschooling adventures.
82. Preschoolers and Peace. This blog belongs to the Christian wife of The Mango Times blogger. Find her perspective on homeschooling her eight children and her relationship to God.

Special Needs Resources and Support

Whether you are considering adoption, are a step family or have experienced the loss of a child, these resources will help you find your way.

83. Christian Single Parents. This article outlines special concerns and offers suggestions for Christian single parents.
84. Christian Adoption. If you are considering adoption, this resource offers plenty of advice and tips for getting started. Scroll down below the couples awaiting adoption to find the full listing of links.
85. Step-Carefully. Step families can find lots of support and resources at this site designed specifically for Christian families.
86. Instep Ministries Forums. This site is dedicated to Christian step families. Check out their new forums here.
87. griefHaven. If you have experienced the loss of a child, this site offers a plethora of resources as well as online forums to find support from others.

Marriage Support

Having a strong marriage provides a good role model for your children. Whether you just want to strengthen an already good relationship or need help holding one together, these resources will point you in the right direction.

88. GOD TELLS US About the Christian Marriage. Find Bible quotes instructing how a Christian marriage should be conducted.
89. Focus on the Family Marriage Forums. Connect with other Christian families on these forums sponsored by Focus on the Family.
90. Spirit of Hosea Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage. Get sermons and podcasts on the topics of marriage, divorce, getting remarried and much more.
91. Faith and Marriage Ministries. This site offers plenty of resources for restoring a marriage in trouble through the use of biblical principles.
92. Covenant Partner Marriage Restoration. Find lots of articles to help you restore your marriage. There is also a forum for online support.
93. The Surrendered Wife–Christian. For followers of Laura Doyle’s book The Surrendered Wife, this listserv offers support for wives hoping to embrace this type of marriage.
94. BiblicalFamilies.org Discussion Forums. These forums provide support for Christian families embracing Christian Plural Marriage.
95. Covenant Keepers. This online group offers marriage reconstruction support–even if only one partner is trying. Connect and find support with other Christians who are going through the same situation.

Online Church Services

In this busy world, it is sometimes difficult to make it to church every week. Supplement your church experience with these online church services.

96. Harvest Online. Watch webcasts, get newsletters, participate in fellowship and more with this church run by Pastor Greg Laurie.
97. First International Church of the Web. Get your complete church experience here along with a message board to connect with other online members.
98. Godfocus Internet Church. This online church offers prayer requests, podcasts and sermons, counseling, and connecting with others on several forums.
99. Internet Church of Christ. This church welcomes you with the always-available complete church service. Join their Google group for connections with others.
100. True Grace Ministries. Join this online church for a whole host of fellowship opportunities as well as worship aids.

If you enjoyed this article, please bookmark it at del.icio.us »