When it comes to influencing the life of a junior high student there is one thing that we know for sure: the person who has the most influence and impact on your child is you. As you navigate these crazy few years we want you to know these three things:
There is HOPE. We're here to HELP. We desire HARMONY for your family.
We're in your corner, and we're cheering you on.
There is HOPE. We're here to HELP. We desire HARMONY for your family.
We're in your corner, and we're cheering you on.
PARENT RESOURCES
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WEBSITES
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BOOKS
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PARENT GUIDES
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MEMORY MAKERS
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Home Word
HomeWord seeks to advance the work of God in the world by educating, equipping, and encouraging parents and churches to build God-honoring families from generation to generation.
The Gospel Coalition
The Gospel Coalition encourages and educates current and next-generation leaders by advocating gospel-centered principles and practices the glorify the Savior.
Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family is a global Christian ministry dedicated to helping families thrive. We provide help and resources for couples to build healthy marriages that reflect God's design, and for parents to raise their children according to morals and values grounded in biblical principles.
Desiring God
God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him — Desiring God exists to help people everywhere understand and embrace this truth. We aim to make the glory of God and the goodness of joy the foundation and flavor of everything we do.
Fuller Youth Institute: Sticky Faith
Most churches in America would give anything to develop a deep, growing faith in kids that “sticks” and continues to mature long-term. That interest is dwarfed only by parents’ desire to develop a deep, growing faith in their own kids.
HomeWord seeks to advance the work of God in the world by educating, equipping, and encouraging parents and churches to build God-honoring families from generation to generation.
The Gospel Coalition
The Gospel Coalition encourages and educates current and next-generation leaders by advocating gospel-centered principles and practices the glorify the Savior.
Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family is a global Christian ministry dedicated to helping families thrive. We provide help and resources for couples to build healthy marriages that reflect God's design, and for parents to raise their children according to morals and values grounded in biblical principles.
Desiring God
God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him — Desiring God exists to help people everywhere understand and embrace this truth. We aim to make the glory of God and the goodness of joy the foundation and flavor of everything we do.
Fuller Youth Institute: Sticky Faith
Most churches in America would give anything to develop a deep, growing faith in kids that “sticks” and continues to mature long-term. That interest is dwarfed only by parents’ desire to develop a deep, growing faith in their own kids.
Understanding Your Young Teen By: Mark Oestreicher
Between the ages of 11-14, adolescents experience one of the most significant periods of change they’ll face during their lifetimes—physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally and spiritually. Mothers and fathers of young teens are presented with new challenges in understanding, communicating with and parenting their kids during this time in their lives. Understanding Your Young Teen offers insights on early adolescent development, new research and cultural changes, and practical applications for parenting and living with young teens.
Can I Ask That? By: Jim Candy & Brad M. Griffin
Teenagers are tired of vague or nonexistent answers to their tough questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity. Just when they're capable of diving into the deep end of their faith, all too often the church keeps them splashing around in shallow waters. As eight years of Sticky Faith research on teenagers has shown, it's not doubt or hard questions that are toxic to faith. It's silence.
My Anxious Mind By: Michael A. Tompkins & Katherine Martinez
'My Anxious Mind' outlines a simple and proven plan to help you understand and deal with your anxiety and panic. It is full of simple-to-use tools and strategies that easily fit into any teen's busy routine.
What do I do when Teenages are Depressed and Contemplate Suicide? By: Dr. Steven Gerali
In this series of books designed for anyone connected to teenagers, Dr. Steven Gerali addresses six daunting and difficult situations that, when they do happen, often leave youth workers and parents feeling unprepared. With a background in adolescent counseling, Dr. Gerali provides valuable resources to help youth workers and parents through some of the most challenging situations they may face.
A Parents Guide to Understanding Sex & Dating By: Mark Oestreicher
Helping your child make wise choices about sex and dating requires more than just one chat. It's about building bridges of ongoing dialogue throughout the teenage years.
Don't Miss It By: Reggie Joiner & Kristen Ivy
It's just a phase. So don't miss it.
Phases are not just periods of time to be survived, but opportunities to be maximized. It gives parents a simple strategy for parenting every week like it counts. It can help them reprioritize their time with their kids; it may even change how they see their kids and themselves. (And because parents are busy, it's designed to take an hour or less to read.)
Between the ages of 11-14, adolescents experience one of the most significant periods of change they’ll face during their lifetimes—physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally and spiritually. Mothers and fathers of young teens are presented with new challenges in understanding, communicating with and parenting their kids during this time in their lives. Understanding Your Young Teen offers insights on early adolescent development, new research and cultural changes, and practical applications for parenting and living with young teens.
Can I Ask That? By: Jim Candy & Brad M. Griffin
Teenagers are tired of vague or nonexistent answers to their tough questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity. Just when they're capable of diving into the deep end of their faith, all too often the church keeps them splashing around in shallow waters. As eight years of Sticky Faith research on teenagers has shown, it's not doubt or hard questions that are toxic to faith. It's silence.
My Anxious Mind By: Michael A. Tompkins & Katherine Martinez
'My Anxious Mind' outlines a simple and proven plan to help you understand and deal with your anxiety and panic. It is full of simple-to-use tools and strategies that easily fit into any teen's busy routine.
What do I do when Teenages are Depressed and Contemplate Suicide? By: Dr. Steven Gerali
In this series of books designed for anyone connected to teenagers, Dr. Steven Gerali addresses six daunting and difficult situations that, when they do happen, often leave youth workers and parents feeling unprepared. With a background in adolescent counseling, Dr. Gerali provides valuable resources to help youth workers and parents through some of the most challenging situations they may face.
A Parents Guide to Understanding Sex & Dating By: Mark Oestreicher
Helping your child make wise choices about sex and dating requires more than just one chat. It's about building bridges of ongoing dialogue throughout the teenage years.
Don't Miss It By: Reggie Joiner & Kristen Ivy
It's just a phase. So don't miss it.
Phases are not just periods of time to be survived, but opportunities to be maximized. It gives parents a simple strategy for parenting every week like it counts. It can help them reprioritize their time with their kids; it may even change how they see their kids and themselves. (And because parents are busy, it's designed to take an hour or less to read.)
Movie Night
Sometimes it is just about being together and not talking. Find a movie you can both attend, sit side by side, eat snacks and watch a movie together. It might not feel like quality time but non-verbal fun and communication can be just as powerful as verbal communication. No matter if the movie is good or bad, it will provide space for a great conversation and connecting on the way home afterwards!
Late Start or Ditch Day
We are advocates for education in JHM, however every once in awhile it can be really refreshing for your teenager’s normal routine to be tossed out the window. Plan a “Late Start Breakfast” and go a little late to school or plan a “Ditch Day” and skip the whole day together! Not all teenagers like surprises, so you will need to be cautious about how you spring the news of the time off. Make sure there is nothing major happening academically or socially on the day that you choose. Moments like these can be life giving and life changing for your relationship with your teenager and it is something they will always remember and remind you of. In the grand timeline of their life, missing a little school is not going to alter their future presidency!
20 Questions
Grab a jar, bucket or envelope and fill it with 20 questions on separate strips of paper. Find a favorite treat spot and go back and forth asking the questions. Your teenager’s likes and dislikes change often, so you could use the same questions multiple times. You can even add to it every month and make it a habit! One of the ways middle schoolers feel affirmed is by being known. Make it your mission to “know” the little things about them and then use that information to affirm them throughout the week!
Share Your Testimony
Does your student know about your journey with Jesus? Where and how it began? The ups and downs you have experienced in your faith journey? What your relationship with Jesus looks like today? Sharing your story is a great way to open the door for your teenager to open up about theirs. Sharing where it has been difficult for you, gives your teenager the freedom to share their own doubts and tough spots in their faith. We know it can be intimidating as parent to be vulnerable and open up to your kids, but this could be an amazing way for you and your teenager to connect on a whole new level. Begin praying ahead of time for God to open a window to share your story!
Would You Rather Day
Most of the time your teenager is on someone else’s agenda. What if for one day they got to make all of the choices? Create some different options and categories to help you plan ahead, but give them the freedom to make the final choices!
3 Sample categories:
- Would you rather….lunch (In N Out or Picnic)
- Would you rather….fun activity (Mini Golf or Bowling)
- Would you rather…treat or dessert (Starbucks or Ice Cream)
Post it Note Prayer
Invest in Post-it Notes. Every once in awhile, write a few verses or encouraging thoughts on separate post it notes. Place them in different spots that your teenager frequents such as, the bathroom mirror, bedside table, or passenger seat in the car. Don’t have any expectations of them saying anything about it– just simply deliver the messages. You could even write out simple prayers that you prayed over them on that day. Small pieces of connectedness often times yield really powerful results.
Create the Ultimate Playlist
Many middle school student love music, but often time their taste is not the same as yours. Create a playlist of their favorite songs for the ride to and from school. Utilize Spotify and give the playlist a name that you think your teenager would like! Sometimes tastes are different, but middle schoolers love when you come into their world and try to understand what they love. Just don’t sing, it will ruin everything you’ve worked for.
Sometimes it is just about being together and not talking. Find a movie you can both attend, sit side by side, eat snacks and watch a movie together. It might not feel like quality time but non-verbal fun and communication can be just as powerful as verbal communication. No matter if the movie is good or bad, it will provide space for a great conversation and connecting on the way home afterwards!
Late Start or Ditch Day
We are advocates for education in JHM, however every once in awhile it can be really refreshing for your teenager’s normal routine to be tossed out the window. Plan a “Late Start Breakfast” and go a little late to school or plan a “Ditch Day” and skip the whole day together! Not all teenagers like surprises, so you will need to be cautious about how you spring the news of the time off. Make sure there is nothing major happening academically or socially on the day that you choose. Moments like these can be life giving and life changing for your relationship with your teenager and it is something they will always remember and remind you of. In the grand timeline of their life, missing a little school is not going to alter their future presidency!
20 Questions
Grab a jar, bucket or envelope and fill it with 20 questions on separate strips of paper. Find a favorite treat spot and go back and forth asking the questions. Your teenager’s likes and dislikes change often, so you could use the same questions multiple times. You can even add to it every month and make it a habit! One of the ways middle schoolers feel affirmed is by being known. Make it your mission to “know” the little things about them and then use that information to affirm them throughout the week!
Share Your Testimony
Does your student know about your journey with Jesus? Where and how it began? The ups and downs you have experienced in your faith journey? What your relationship with Jesus looks like today? Sharing your story is a great way to open the door for your teenager to open up about theirs. Sharing where it has been difficult for you, gives your teenager the freedom to share their own doubts and tough spots in their faith. We know it can be intimidating as parent to be vulnerable and open up to your kids, but this could be an amazing way for you and your teenager to connect on a whole new level. Begin praying ahead of time for God to open a window to share your story!
Would You Rather Day
Most of the time your teenager is on someone else’s agenda. What if for one day they got to make all of the choices? Create some different options and categories to help you plan ahead, but give them the freedom to make the final choices!
3 Sample categories:
- Would you rather….lunch (In N Out or Picnic)
- Would you rather….fun activity (Mini Golf or Bowling)
- Would you rather…treat or dessert (Starbucks or Ice Cream)
Post it Note Prayer
Invest in Post-it Notes. Every once in awhile, write a few verses or encouraging thoughts on separate post it notes. Place them in different spots that your teenager frequents such as, the bathroom mirror, bedside table, or passenger seat in the car. Don’t have any expectations of them saying anything about it– just simply deliver the messages. You could even write out simple prayers that you prayed over them on that day. Small pieces of connectedness often times yield really powerful results.
Create the Ultimate Playlist
Many middle school student love music, but often time their taste is not the same as yours. Create a playlist of their favorite songs for the ride to and from school. Utilize Spotify and give the playlist a name that you think your teenager would like! Sometimes tastes are different, but middle schoolers love when you come into their world and try to understand what they love. Just don’t sing, it will ruin everything you’ve worked for.