The New Digital Parent?

Need some help parenting?  If you have an Amazon Echo with Alexa, the digital voice assistant, you may be in luck.

There's a new "Magic Word" function that you can turn on which will tell kids to use the word "please" when they ask for something.  The function can also be used to reinforce positive behavior.

Amazon has also introduced children's content for the Echo that includes 300 audio books for kids, as well as skills designed for kids by Nickelodeon, Disney and National Geographic.

Need help getting the kids out of bed?  Digital parent to the rescue.

Need kids to be reminded to study for a test?  Digital parent to the rescue.

Want to teach your child how to be polite?  Digital parent to the rescue.

Want to see your child improve in their history lessons?  Digital parent to the rescue.

Need someone to read a bedtime story to your child?  Digital parent to the rescue.

Want to monitor what your child is watching and listening to?  Digital parent to the rescue. 

The truth is no app, computer, digitally generated voice or "futuristic robot" can take the place of a parent

God has placed the guidance, training, spiritual formation and molding of children in the hands of their parents.

I often remind parents of this truth:  No one has more influence in the life of a child than his or her parents

Parents are told this in God's Word.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.  Ephesians 6:4
Parents are to...

Treat their children right (do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them).

Train their children (bring them up with the discipline).

Teach their children (bring them up with the instruction).

One of the most important things we can do is equip parents to raise their children to love Jesus.  When we influence the greatest influencers (parents), we can then truly influence their children through them.

This means we should teach parents how to treat their children right.  Most parents, by default, parent the way they were parented....bad parenting traits included.  Provide parents with the tools and resources they need to identify bad parenting habits they want to correct.  Show parents how they can build a great relationship with their child.

We should also teach parents how to train their children.  This includes how to discipline, how to train their kids to make wise decisions, how to manage money, etc.

And we should equip parents with the Biblical knowledge they need to teach their children the ways of God.  Giving them the understanding they need to pass on a Christian worldview to their children.

Do these 3 things and you will set parents up for success as they guide their children.

Let me ask you a question.  Do you have a plan in place to equip parents?  Do you have a strategy to influence them?

Here are some articles that can help you develop and implement a strategy to influence the parents in your ministry.

Helping parents prepare their children for the transition from elementary to middle school.

Helping parents see the importance of consistent church attendance.

Helping parents teach their children about managing money.

Equipping parents to lead their children to faith in Christ.

Equipping parents to raise their children to follow Jesus for a lifetime.

Anyone who says parenting is easy has never been one.  Parents are looking for help.  That's one reason many of them are excited about something as simple as a digital voice that will help them teach their children to say "please."

God has placed you in a unique position as a ministry leader.  You can be a voice speaking into the lives of parents, helping them step up to be the parent God is calling them to be.