Resources Useful in your Parenting Journey

Resource of the Month:  The Road Ahead: a faith powered guide for today's teen by Hayley Dimarco and friends

This is an easy read for teens and preteens.  The Road Ahead takes huge topics such as premarital sex, happiness, failure, etc. and breaks them down into easy to digest things to think about.  Every topic is brought back to scripture and is built on a solid base.  Each topic challenges the student to use what they learn to apply it to their life and make changes where necessary. The language is modern and should keep a student engaged.  This is just a good basic book for teens.  If you'd like to take a look, check out the eKids! table in the Lounge to flip through it.

There are a variety of resources that are available to make your time with your kids count.  Here are  just a small amount of the resources that I have found:

Featured Book : Lies Young Women Believe and the truth that sets them free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh

This book is a must for girls preteen through adulthood!  It was written for teenagers, but even I found myself saying, "You know, I have believed that lie my whole life!"  The book addresses various lies that young women are fed such as:  God is not really involved in my life, Beautiful girls are worth more, I need a boyfriend, It's not really sex, and more. Each lie is compared to truths from scripture on the same subject.   Written in a transparent and easy to understand format, this is a book that can create some great conversations with your daughter, but is also written in a way that you feel like you are just talking with your girlfriends.  This was a good read.  I plan to have my daughter read this too!

Five Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter by Vicki Courteney

This book was amazing!  It deals with the tough job we have as parents in keeping our daughters from buying into the lie of vanity which pervades our culture today.  The author deals with tough issues such as body image, virtue, premarital sex and more.  She does this from a biblical perspective, but I was delighted to see that she also backs up her observations with statistical data.  A great read for anyone with a daughter.  Even if your daughter is five, it's important to start having these conversations NOW!

Faith at Home Mark Holmen

This is a fabulous book that reinforces the importance of parents being the main spiritual teachers in the home.  It gives practical insight as to how to make it happen, and is a really easy read.

Revolutionary Parenting George Barna

Ever wonder what it takes to raise children to be spiritual champions?  George Barna has done research on just what is involved.  Known for his research, George Barna has interviewed parents with adult children who remained steadfast in their faith.  Barna has uncovered strategies that are doable for all parents.

Secret Keeper Girl Diana Hall

Spending time with your child is important to facilitating conversation.  In this book, Diana has provided "date nights" to spend with your daughter that reinforces your daughter's value in Christ.  An awesome resource!  I've often wanted to make time to do this as a program....guess we'll have to wait and see!

focusonthefamily.com Great website for articles on anything from parenting to marriage and more.  Their store has unending resources for parents.  Dr James Dobson is one of the foremost experts on things that affect our families today.

pluggedinonline.com I hate when I go to a movie with my kids, only to cringe when an unexpected curse word, or inappropriate conduct pops up in the film.  This website watches the movie first and reviews it with your kids in mind.  Great resource!  I have never found a movie that wasn't listed on this site.