Parenting Essentials
Parenting might be one of the hardest and yet highest callings that God bestows upon a person. It is full of unknowns, anxiety, celebrations, surprises, weird smells, laughter, and a host of other emotions and experiences. Furthermore, the Bible gives us clear instruction on how the gospel is to be applied in our day to day parenting. This past week as we finished out our series in the book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul gave explicit instructions to parents (and specifically dads): “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (3:21).
Below are a few of the most helpful resources that Julianne and I have read, absorbed, discussed, and attempted to apply in our parenting. It’s our goal to read at least one if not two parenting books a year to continue to grow in the hard and high calling that God has given to us as parents. We hope that these resources will be a gift and a help to you whether you are in the early stages of parenting or have been plowing away at parenting for years.
- Parenting by Paul David Tripp
What does it look like for the gospel to deeply inform and transform your parenting? Christian counsellor Paul Tripp provides 14 gospel principles that can radically change your family. Tripp keeps the biblical big picture of parenting front and centre – a picture that focuses on the heart of your child and not simply behaviour modification. This book gives parents a lot of hope…not a list of more things to “do better”.
- Parenting by Paul David Tripp
What does it look like for the gospel to deeply inform and transform your parenting? Christian counsellor Paul Tripp provides 14 gospel principles that can radically change your family. Tripp keeps the biblical big picture of parenting front and centre – a picture that focuses on the heart of your child and not simply behaviour modification. This book gives parents a lot of hope…not a list of more things to “do better”.
- Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley
In the midst of life’s hustle and bustle it can be hard to find healthy family rhythms. Justin Whitmel Earley helps us to see how our daily, weekly, and yearly habits as a family shape the type of family that we will become. In this book you will discover a new framework for discipline as discipleship along with learning how small moments as big opportunities for spiritual formation.
- Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley
In the midst of life’s hustle and bustle it can be hard to find healthy family rhythms. Justin Whitmel Earley helps us to see how our daily, weekly, and yearly habits as a family shape the type of family that we will become. In this book you will discover a new framework for discipline as discipleship along with learning how small moments as big opportunities for spiritual formation.
- The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch
The age in which we are raising children is an age of technology. We cannot simply ignore or assume the use of technology. Instead, as Christians we have to be informed, strategic, and responsive to how our family and specifically our kids are engaging with various forms of technology (especially cell phones). Author Andy Crouch helps you to think through and make conscientious choices about technology that are more than just using internet filters and determining screen time limits for our children.
- The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch
The age in which we are raising children is an age of technology. We cannot simply ignore or assume the use of technology. Instead, as Christians we have to be informed, strategic, and responsive to how our family and specifically our kids are engaging with various forms of technology (especially cell phones). Author Andy Crouch helps you to think through and make conscientious choices about technology that are more than just using internet filters and determining screen time limits for our children.
- Feeding The Mouth That Bites You by Kenneth Wilgus
Parenting teenagers can be one of the most difficult but rewarding times in the life of a parent. Sometimes, however, the hardest part of parenting teens is having a proactive discipleship strategy. Psychologist Kenneth Wilgus explains how the goal of discipleship is to raise healthy autonomous adults. And he provides decades of experience with practical approaches to engage with your teen. Wilgus shows us that the teen years are not to be merely feared but embraced as a beautiful time of formation in the life of your child.
- Feeding The Mouth That Bites You by Kenneth Wilgus
Parenting teenagers can be one of the most difficult but rewarding times in the life of a parent. Sometimes, however, the hardest part of parenting teens is having a proactive discipleship strategy. Psychologist Kenneth Wilgus explains how the goal of discipleship is to raise healthy autonomous adults. And he provides decades of experience with practical approaches to engage with your teen. Wilgus shows us that the teen years are not to be merely feared but embraced as a beautiful time of formation in the life of your child.
- Raising Emotionally Strong Boys (David Thomas) & Raising Worry Free Girls (Sissy Goff)
Raising Emotionally Strong Boys by David Thomas and its counterpart for girls by Sissy Goff provide parents with insight and approaches to some of the most pressing issues facing boys and girls. These books help parents (especially of pre-teens) to understand the developmental struggles that are common to both boys and girls. And in understanding your child both authors unpack how to practically come alongside your child and parent in this season full of truth and grace.
- Raising Emotionally Strong Boys (David Thomas) & Raising Worry Free Girls (Sissy Goff)
Raising Emotionally Strong Boys by David Thomas and its counterpart for girls by Sissy Goff provide parents with insight and approaches to some of the most pressing issues facing boys and girls. These books help parents (especially of pre-teens) to understand the developmental struggles that are common to both boys and girls. And in understanding your child both authors unpack how to practically come alongside your child and parent in this season full of truth and grace.
Two bonus books:
The Worry Free Parent by Sissy Goff
Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch
Pastor Jeremy
