Being a parent is not an easy task. Especially in the days we are living in. Parenting is more challenging now than ever before.
As ministry leaders, I believe we are not only called to minister to children, but to parents as well.
Let's take a look at what parents are facing and steps we can take to help them.
What are some of the big concerns today's parents have for their children?
A recent report from Pew Research reveals what parents are concerned about:
40% are concerned about their children experiencing anxiety or depression.
35% worry about their child being bullied.
28% worry that their child might be abducted or kidnapped.
25% are concerned their child might experience getting beat up or attacked.
23% worry about their child getting involved with drugs or alcohol as a teen.
22% worry about their child being shot as a teen.
16% worry about their child getting pregnant as a teen.
14% worry about their child getting in trouble with the police as a teen.
How hard is being a parent?
26% of parents say it is a lot harder than they thought it would be.
36% of parents say it is somewhat harder than they thought it would be.
45% of parents say they tend to be overprotective.
43% say they are trying to raise their children the way they were raised.
44% say they are trying to raise their children differently than the way they were raised.
How do parents feel about parenting?
80% say it is rewarding most of the time.
82% say it is enjoyable.
41% say it is tiring.
29% say it is stressful.
How do parents feel about their children having the same religious and political beliefs as they do?
94% say they want their children to be honest and eithical.
88% want their children to be hardworking.
81% want their children to help others who are in need.
80% want their children to be accepting of people who are different than them.
65% want their children to be ambitious.
35% want their children to have the same religious beliefs as they do.
16% want their children to have the same political beliefs as they do.
I believe that for far too long, children's ministries have defaulted to adult ministry taking the lead on helping parents navigate the challenges of parenting.
It's time children's ministries step up to the plate and begin helping parents navigate the parenting challenges they are facing.
This could look like partnering with adult ministry to host a parenting class.
This could look like recommending resources and courses on parenting today's kids.
This could look like posting parenting tips on Facebook. Did you know that 95% of Millennial parents are on Facebook?
This could look like sending parenting tips home with parents just like you send take home papers for kids.
Parents today face so many challenges:
Balancing Work And Family Life
Dealing With Stress
Raising Children In A Digital Age
Managing A Household On A Budget
Teaching Children About Money
Helping Children Stay Safe Online
The push by the LGTBQ+ agenda
These are just a few of the challenges they want your help with.
Help parents and you will help entire families.
