Parenting Resources

Raising kids can be challenging at times, and it can also be the most rewarding thing you will do! We know the challenges, we've been there and we want to help you be successful

Whether you are married, single, a blended family, raising grandkids, have lots of support or are doing this on your own, every person raising kids needs a little help at some point. We want to support you through practical tips and advice, and an ear to listen, so you can successfully overcome the challenges that come with parenting the next generation.

5 Minute Parenting Seminar

Each night at WiseGuys' CHARACTER QUEST for a brief 5 minute parenting seminar. Each seminar will address problems most parents are facing like lack of gratitude, disrespect and other challenges and provide practical advice you can immediately use to help overcome these issues. Each week we'll add additional resources here to go with the week's parenting seminar topic.

Communication - July 26th

It's easy to feel overwhelmed as a parent. Take time to reevaluate your schedule and make communicating and connecting with your kids a priority.

From Focus on the Family:
Not Enough Time in the Day?
By Jill Savage Copyright2019, 2023

parenting busy stressed priorities family kids

"Sometimes it feels like there’s not enough of us to go around because parenting is nonstop. Use these strategies to go from restless to resting in God’s peace as a parent."

From Focus on the Family:
50 Questions to Ask Your Kids at the Dinner Table
By Carol Cuppy

young african american family dinner table questions to ask your kids

"Having conversations with our kids is critical for building a solid foundation of trust, demonstrating steadfast love, and teaching them how to grow as a young person. These 50 questions to ask your kids are a great starting point for conversations around the dinner table."

From Verywell Family:
42 Conversation Starters for Kids
By Carol Cuppy

young african american family dinner table questions to ask your kids parenting

"Having conversations with our kids is critical for building a solid foundation of trust, demonstrating steadfast love, and teaching them how to grow as a young person. These 50 questions to ask your kids are a great starting point for conversations around the dinner table."

From Focus on the Family:
100 Questions for Kids – Easy Conversation Starters
By Wayne Stocks

young family questions to ask your kids

"Kids can be shy, its not always easy for them to have conversations with peers or adults. This list of 100 get to know you questions can help."

Complaining - July 28th

Teaching your children not to complain starts with gratitude.
Philippians 2:14 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings:"
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

From Focus on the Family:
TRAINING KIDS TO BE GRATEFUL
By Jill Savage October 25, 2017

African American Father shaving putting shaving cream on young child

"Cultivating gratitude in children begins at home, as we model discipline, patience and intentionality."

From Verywell Mind
How to Teach Children Gratitude
By Amy Morin, LCSW November 12, 2020

young AFrican American girl smelling potted plant

"It's more than just saying thank you."

Technology- Aug 4th

Technology has changed the world and it impacts our family daily. As parents we need to make sure it is having a good impact on our children. Below are a few resources to help you help your children manage technology well.

From Focus on the Family:
Helping Our Kids Manage Technology Well (Part 1 of 2)
Original Air Date: April 19, 2021

group of young kids playing on ipads and tablets

Dr. Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane reveal how technology is changing our kids—impacting the brain, relationships, safety, and emotional health. (Part 1 of 2)

From Focus on the Family:
Helping Our Kids Manage Technology Well (Part 2 of 2)
Original Air Date: April 20, 2021

two young african american kids playing on a computer

Dr. Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane reveal how technology is changing our kids—impacting the brain, relationships, safety, and emotional health. (Part 2 of 2)

From Focus on the Family:
Download a copy:
3 Daily Tips for Healthy Kids

Focus on the Family 3 Daily tips for Healthy Kids

From Focus on the Family:
Raising Socially Competent Kids
By Gary Chapman October 25, 2016

group of children smiling

Want to give your kids a step up in the world? Help them improve their social skills.

Apps / Software

The internet can be a dangerous place for children, even the most well behaved and innocent children can stumble upon inappropriate content while playing games, doing homework, or socializing with friends. 

Here are a few resources that can help you filter out the inappropriate content, set screen time limits and safely monitor your child's on-line activities for red flags while giving them privacy. 

 No filter, app, or monitor is perfect and so parents should always remain vigilant. There are numerous other options to help you manage technology well.

Mobicip 
Parental control software and internet filter. Allows you to filter internet content, including on YouTube, limit screen time, manage apps and track location.

Bark
Proactively monitors text messages, YouTube, emails, and 30+ different social networks for potential safety concerns, so busy parents can save time and gain peace of mind. If there is a potential risk, it sends an alert to the parent's device so you don't have to comb through every post and text.

Encouraging Positive Choices - Aug 11th

Our outward behavior comes from the internal state of our heart. As parents, our responsibility goes far beyond just correcting behavior to addressing the issues of the heart and teaching our children how to best navigate their emotions and life situations in a healthy and God honoring manner.

From Focus on the Family:
How to Encourage Your Kids, to Get Better Behavior From Them
By Kathy Koch February 27, 2019

group of young kids playing on ipads and tablets

"When utilized properly, encouragement invites excellence and obedience in our children."

From Focus on the Family:
Parenting is More than Behavior Modification
by Josh Zeichik, CAP® March 5, 2021

two young african american kids playing on a computer

"If we were to stop and scan the scriptures for advice on parenting, one of the themes that would stick out is that God is concerned about the state of our hearts, rather than simply behavior modification."

From Focus on the Family: 
3 Practical Principles for Disciplining with Grace
By Karis Kimmel Murray April 25, 2018

Focus on the Family 3 Daily tips for Healthy Kids

"Seeking to parent our children the way God parents us can dramatically change the atmosphere of our home."

From Focus on the Family: 
Approaches to Discipline
By Focus on the Family October 22, 2014

Focus on the Family 3 Daily tips for Healthy Kids

"Parents develop expectations for their child's behavior based on age. However, there are factors to keep in mind."

From Answers in Genesis: 
Discipling Children God's Way
By David Chakranarayan and Ken Ham July 19, 2013

Focus on the Family 3 Daily tips for Healthy Kids

"Parents, if you desire to demonstrate biblical love to your children, then exercise biblical discipline. Our culture would benefit greatly from parents disciplining their children God’s way."

From Time Magazine:
Spanking Can Be an Appropriate Form of Child Discipline
By Jared Pingleton September 16, 2014

group of children smiling

"Disciplining our sons and daughters is part of the tough work of parenting, but it will pay big dividends in the long run."

Parental Responsibility - Aug 18th

As parents we have been given a great responsibility by God to train up our children. How we raise them will have a lasting impact on their future and eternity. 

From the Gospel Tract and Bible Society:
The Responsibility of Parents

group of young kids playing on ipads and tablets

"The influence that parents have for good or evil is much greater than they often realize. "

From Family Life:
40 Lessons We Sought to Teach Our Children
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

two young african american kids playing on a computer

"Raising children requires huge chunks of time, prayer, discipline, involvement, and relationship-building. This list of values and traits has helped us focus on biblical priorities in raising children to become mature adults of faith and godly character."