Parenting Tips Blog

You know that sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach when you realize, “I did it again. I lost my temper with my child.”? We do too. The truth is, we’ve all had those moments. Parenting is all in and all-consuming. Whether you’ve got littles clambering all over you until you snap or teens…

The real value in extracurriculars.

Article Summary: When your child is exhausted and cranky after school and then explodes with anger and overwhelm, it’s not a sign of poor parenting or a ‘problem child’ – instead, it’s often a predictable response to the sensory overload, limited movement, and constant pressure they face during the school day. This article contains a…

Five years ago, Connected Families had certified parent coaches in just one country. Today? Connected Families is collaborating with CF Certified Parent Coaches in 20 countries and across four continents to provide culturally-sensitive biblical parenting resources. As Chad Hayenga reflected on our podcast, “In the early years, we did not know how the Connected Families…

A brother or a sister is a wonderful thing. They can play together and grow up to be friends. Or… they can argue all day long. If you have siblings arguing in the house, it can become almost the soundtrack for certain seasons of life. Now the question is: what do you do? Imagine you…

It’s summer again! We’ve got some summer tips for parents like you. Summer can be an amazing time for unforced connecting and free time. Kids can get off their devices and explore the great outdoors. Summer includes so much potential! However, it may also include kids flopping on the couch, proclaiming their boredom, frequent requests…

“Kids don’t need us to be their friends, they need us to be their parents!” The dad huffed, frustrated that I had suggested his teen daughter might be seeing her mom and dad more as enemies than allies. Another variant of this “be the parent” talk is when a parent demands obedience without explanation. It…

It’s everywhere. For most of us, as parents, it’s not a matter of “if” but “when” your child will be exposed to pornography. Research shows that as many as 1 in 5 kids are exposed to pornography or online sexual solicitation before the age of 18. But what do you DO if you discover your…

Does screen time in your home cause serious stress? And do you worry about it damaging relationships? Do your attempts at limiting screen time turn it into the prized forbidden fruit? You are not alone. We know our kids are growing up in the 21st century and need to know how to use technology, but…

3 Ways to Break Habits of Harshness

How do you talk to your kids about sin? Many people are hesitant to use the word “sin” as it often carries connotations of self-righteousness, judgment, and shame in today’s culture. Many people believe that right and wrong are decided by what is true and what is right for each person. This makes it hard…

Do you have an “over-the-top” challenging child? Maybe you’ve already heard the term “highly sensitive” given to your child, either by teachers, a pediatrician, friends, or “Dr. Google.” Parents often see me for coaching because they are looking for parenting strategies for their highly sensitive child. Or maybe you haven’t yet heard this term. Maybe…

Got a child with big emotions? Toddlers and teens are known for their explosions of big feelings, but many kids simply “feel deeply” all their lives. Sometimes it seems those kids totally lose it at inopportune moments. It can even feel like your child’s big uncontrolled emotions are starting to control your family’s interactions. So…

Introducing the ABCs of Affirmation

Do you have Christmas parenting moments you wish you could do over? The wonder of Christmas often collides with parenting reality. This may lead you to say things you wish you’d not said and do things you wish you’d not done, leaving a sour taste that dulls deep Christmas joy. Whether it is sharp words…

You know that child that digs in their heels and absolutely refuses to comply? If you’ve got a “stubborn” child that you just don’t know how to help, it can feel very isolating and discouraging. All the methods and things that “work” for others probably don’t help your persistent and persevering child. Danika and her…

Multiple kids crying. Dog barking at who knows what. The food burns on the stove while you try to change the baby’s diaper. Maybe you lose it. Maybe you and your spouse start to argue about the mess in the living room. However it looks in your home, perhaps you can relate to feeling like…

Insights and Ideas from an adult adoptee

You probably know the signs of your child’s defiance or disrespect a few seconds before it lands. You see it in their body language, and you feel it in your own body as you try to prepare. If you’ve got a child who is frequently defiant and disrespectful, you’ve got some practice enduring intentionally painful…

“It’s too hard!” “I can’t do it!” “I’ll never be good at it!” “I give up!” You may have heard words like these as you watch when your child gives up easily. You wince because you don’t want your child to quit when things get complicated. You want your child to learn to persevere and…

We are excited to bring you an excerpt from a book that we feel will impact your family for generations to come. Dr. David and Amanda Erickson are co-authors of The Flourishing Family: A Jesus-Centered Guide to Parenting with Peace and Purpose and co-creators of Flourishing Homes & Families. They are also Connected Families Certified…

Hitting and biting are really difficult phases for some kids. Oftentimes, it’s indicative of a child’s need for more big muscle activity to decrease stress in their nervous system. (See our FREE resource, 60 Ways to Get Kids Moving and Laughing.) This almost always improves the problem but may not eliminate it. And when hitting or…

Focusing on the good is powerful. “No one has ever said anything like that to me!” The rough-looking teen’s tough veneer had softened. I (Jim) detected tears in his eyes. What had caused this teen, a complete stranger and one obviously out to get into trouble, to soften so surprisingly? We had a conversation, and…

In stressful interactions, do you ever think of what you wish you’d said to your kids about five minutes too late? If you’ve got a child unraveling before your eyes, it’s tempting to try to quickly “fix it” instead of understanding and empathizing. When your child is upset, and you’re also upset, it’s hard to…

Is God safe? Are we safe in God? When I think about the giants of the Christian faith, “safe” isn’t the first word to describe their walks with God. From the martyrdom of Jesus’ early disciples to the countless followers of Jesus who have sacrificed their comfort and safety to serve others, God frequently calls…