PARENT RESOURCES
Parents - we are here to help no matter what phase you are in!
Parents - we are very excited to partner with you as your child grows. It is our desire to come along side you, to resource and equip you to parent well at each and every age and phase your child is in. God embraces, engages, affirms, mobilizes and values each child as they grow. It is our desire that as your faith is expressed at home these resources will help you and your child grow in a living relationship with Jesus Christ.
Moms and Dads, when you physically embrace your preschoolers, it gives your children their first impression of God, our Creator and loving Father. During the preschool phase, your children begin to establish trust, develop confidence, and learn self-control. As their parents, YOU have the best opportunity to make the greatest impact in your children’s lives, and we at Good Shepherd want to partner with you by providing resources to help this to be a positive experience. Read more >>
Parents, as your child steps into their elementary years, it is a great time to help them navigate all the questions that fuel their curiosity during this phase. They will be thinking like a scientist! They are eager to learn new things including the truths of God and His Word the Bible. In this phase, it’s important to assist your child in developing spiritual habits too! At Good Shepherd Church, we want your child to grow in their living relationship with Jesus Christ and know how they fit in God’s BIG PLAN for their lives. Read more >>
During the middle schooler years along with child's physical bodies, your child hits a "growth spurt" in their brain. The brain overproduces neurons and synapses, similar to the growing mind of a toddler. During this phase, it's essential to AFFIRM the personal journey of your tween to help them grow in their living relationship with Jesus. During this time, provide clear and straightforward instructions to help your middle schooler develop. You will have plenty of opportunities to offer a relational commitment. Read more >>
This is the time to start learning how to negotiate with your teenager. During these years, their brain is still developing. The limbic system (risk-taking) is developing at a faster rate than the prefrontal cortex (regulating behavior). SO, risk and personal experience still govern behavior. Your teenager will learn best through open debate, multiple perspectives, and applied reasoning. High schoolers want to discover meaning and learn best by processing out loud. This is a time to "mobilize" them in their living relationship with Jesus to make a difference. Read more >>