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ArticleWhy Christian parents don’t embrace their children’s artistic gifts and what we can do about it
Picasso said: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up”
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ArticleAs a Christian parent I don’t put my children on social media - this is why
I once listened to a children’s sermon about the power of our words and the harm they can cause. To illustrate his message, the pastor used a tube of toothpaste. He squeezed all of it out onto a tray, then asked one of the children to put the toothpaste back into the tube. Naturally, they couldn’t do it—once the toothpaste is out, it can’t be put back. His point being that the same is true of our words, once spoken they can’t be taken back. In today’s digital age, it seems the same holds true for what we share online—once something is posted, it’s nearly impossible to take it back. While some platforms like Snapchat automatically delete messages after a certain time (unless saved), one has to wonder: are these records ever truly gone?
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ArticleThe Serpent and The Seed: An online game that is a beautiful, generous gift to the world
Anyone familiar with Genesis 3:15 will immediately spot that this game has something to do with the Bible. For those less familiar, it’s an intriguing gateway into another world…
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ArticleAnswering your child’s questions: Why should I say sorry?
When did “sorry” stop meaning “sorry”? And… what does this mean for how we approach the topics of sin and repentance with our youth and children?
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ArticleIf you’re dreading the summer holidays the joy of the Lord can be your strength
The school holidays will soon be here. For some families that’s a brief respite – children who struggle with school and are misunderstood in the classroom will experience a welcome relief. But for others it can bring difficulties. Children who rely on the security of the classroom routine can be completely thrown out by the unpredictable weeks stretching before them. Not all summer holiday play schemes can meet the requirements of children with additional needs, so it falls to mum and dad. It’s doubly hard, of course, for single parents.
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ArticleChristian parents should not let their children watch the new Harry Potter series
As an ex ‘new-ager’I want to share some concerns about parents letting their children watch TV series and films like the new Harry Potter series on HBO.
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ArticleChristian parents should be fine with letting their children watch the new Harry Potter series
When I was younger, the Harry Potter books were still coming out. I remember my dad specifically taking my older sister to wait outside the bookshop to get a copy of The Deathly Hallows – and then, horror upon horror! – making her go to bed rather than read it through the night.
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ArticleHomeschooling has its benefits for Christian families but it’s not for everyone
Over the last few decades school life has changed along with wider culture. Whilst education used to be far more aligned with Christian teaching there is now more distance between the two. This has prompted some to home educate their children.
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ArticleAnswering your child’s questions: What’s the point of praying? Because God doesn’t change
We know that prayer matters, but if your home is anything like mine then the fast pace of busy family life often means it doesn’t get the time or the focus that you wish it did. With conflicting clubs and extracurricular activities routines are all over the place and bedtimes are not as consistent as they once were. Mealtimes are chaotic and often filled with others around the table too, and those special moments when you’re all together as a family are too few and far between.
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ArticleMartin Saunders: ‘God’s grace is bigger than anyone’s parenting failures’
Yeah, I was born into a working-class family, but my parents were part of the home ownership boom in the late 70s and 80s. So, we were not wealthy but not poor either. I wasn’t brought up as a Christian, but I came into contact with a number of churches and Christian groups near where I lived, so I got to see and be around Christians a bit. When I was 14, I met an amazing school’s worker who set out the Gospel in a really clear and logical way – it really made sense to me, and I was convinced on the spot. I went up to him at the end and said “you’ve got yourself a convert”; he thought I was making fun of him!
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Article5 ways Christian parents can engage with sex and relationships education in school
No parent relishes the prospect of ’The talk’ with their kids. And when it comes to the birds and the bees, Christians are no exception; talking about sex and relationships can be embarrassing for both parents and children. Uncertainty, or fear of “getting it wrong” often lead mums and dads to stay silent- even in Christian homes. My husband and I recently bit the bullet and broached the topic with our eldest son; it’s safe to say there were a few awkward giggles and some very red faces!
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Article5 ways Christian parents can prevent their children from being groomed
If you’ve been following the news lately, you’ve probably heard about “grooming gangs.”
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ArticleGetting the most out of school sports day - A guide for Christian parents
Amongst all the emails that come in from our son’s school, the one we open quickest is the one about sports day. Check the date, clear the diary, not to me missed!
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ArticleLook closer, you’ll find the Eubank Jr - Benn fight was secretly a sermon on fatherhood
In 1990, Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn met in a clash preceded by years of animosity. Simply put: these men just didn’t like each other.
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Article3 helpful qualities for Christian dads to foster this Father’s Day and beyond
On June 15th this year, families across the nation will celebrate Father’s Day. Fatherhood is likely to bring up different emotions in families. For some – hopefully many – emotions will be positive, and the day will be a chance to give thanks for the dads within the home. For others, the day will bring up mixed emotions due to the absence of a father, or perhaps a dad’s death. Churches which engage with the Father’s Day celebration would be wise to remember these various experiences – while also encouraging dads (and male role models within the church) in their midst.
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ArticlePlaying is good for youth, children and their communities - here’s how Christian parents and churches can encourage it
Today the Raising the Nation Play Commission released it’s report Everything to Play For: A Plan to Ensure Every Child in England Can Play - it shows that spaces and opportuntities for play in the UK are being eroded and that perhaps unsurprisingly youth and children in the UK are some of the unhappiest in Europe. How can parents and churches play their part in addressing this? Well before we get to that let’s wind back and think what play actually is.
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ArticleHow To Train Your Dragon – What an empathetic Viking can teach us about fatherhood and masculinity
Film: How to Train Your Dragon
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ArticleAnswering your child’s questions: Why is God a Father?
With Father’s Day just around the corner you’ve probably begun to notice that the shelves have filled up with bright ties and blue socks declaring “BEST DAD EVER” and “DAD YOU’RE ROARSOME!” (who actually buys those?) Teachers are scrolling Pinterest for new ideas of cute crafts, and our kids are spending their days creating beautifully unique handprint cards - just like everybody else! Whilst this day is quite rightly a celebration of the men in our lives who care so wonderfully for their families, it is also a painful reminder of what has been lacking for so many others.
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ArticlePaul Kerensa: Parents ‘take sleep when you can and be kind. Not every day will be easy – but that’s OK’
Welcome Paul, thanks for agreeing to share your experiences with us, can we start with you telling us a bit about yourself?
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ArticleThe brand-new Lion Baby Bible is a thoughtful introduction to the Bible for toddlers
The Lion Baby Bible by Antonia Woodward is a gentle and engaging introduction to the Bible, designed especially for toddlers and preschool-aged children. With 45 short stories drawn from both the Old and New Testaments, it offers a broad overview of key biblical events and themes in a way that’s accessible for very young readers.
