Parenting in this digital landscape requires far more emotional translation than most adults expected. I appreciate the emphasis on modeling because children learn far more from what we practice than what we preach. The physical symptoms you listed are ones I see frequently in anxious kids, especially stomach aches and perfectionism that get mislabeled as personality. Pairing faith practices with nervous system tools like square breathing is wise and practical. When kids feel both spiritually supported and physiologically regulated, their capacity to cope expands in meaningful ways.
I appreciate your reflection and am glad this spoke to you. I will be honest and say I did not realize all of these various aspects of anxiety until the last few years. I have researched and learned a lot about the kids I minister to. I think a lot of parents are where I was not that long ago. We just need to be better educated on how to recognize it and walk with our kids through this battle.
Generation Alpha may be growing up in a louder world, but Scripture reminds us that what shapes a generation most is not noise, but modeling.
In Genesis, favoritism and fear did not remain isolated traits. Rebekah’s manipulation shaped Jacob. Jacob’s insecurity shaped his marriages. The rivalry in his home shaped his sons. What was tolerated in one generation became normalized in the next. The pattern was not accidental. It was modeled.
Today, anxiety can function in a similar way. Our children do not just hear our words about trusting God — they watch how we respond to storms, headlines, conflict, and uncertainty. If we react in fear, they learn fear. If we live in prayerful trust, they learn trust. Emotional tone becomes spiritual inheritance.
This is why the counsel to “point them to Jesus” is not merely advice — it is legacy work. When parents name their struggles, pray openly, slow their pace, and create rhythms grounded in God’s presence, they are doing more than calming a moment. They are shaping a generation.
The hope is this: just as God redeemed the broken patterns in Jacob’s family, He can redeem ours. We will pass something down. The question is not if, but what. When we choose to model faith over fear, prayer over panic, and presence over performance, we give our children something stronger than coping skills — we give them a living example of trust in God.
And what is modeled in Christ can become multiplied in the next generation.
I agree! I have long said that one of the most important aspects of parenting is modeling. They will most likely practice what they see in us (our actions) even more than our words. But our words and actions should both be in alignment.
I appreciate this word and this reminder. If we model how we handle anxiety appropriately, then they will learn from us and follow suit as well. Much of it falls on us.
And nothing is worse than a parent who who doesn’t follow what they teach their children. Children are watching your feet more than they are listening to your words.
I also think patterns and routines are super helpful for kids. (Not rigid) It gives them security to know what is next and why.
I often share with parents—make sure that your child has access to your calendar and that you talk to them about what’s coming and when it is.
Lots of kids that come through my door come every week at the same time but if you ask them, they would have no idea what day or when they come.
I can’t imagine going through life not knowing when I do things, what time, how things are ordered and structured. But a lot of kids are going through life blind like this.
The old Schoolhouse Rock videos used to say “knowledge is power.” I think this applies, but maybe better said would be “knowledge could equal a little more security.”
My wife preaches this as one who worked in SPED for years. She made many visual schedules and believes in cueing kids on what is coming next and sequencing. Kids thrive on routine and need that structure. Which all can help lessen any anxiety they are feeling.
So glad you're sharing this from a biblical, discipleship perspective, Matt. I have a child who struggles with crippling anxiety, and I've found these same practices helpful in our own family, especially holding them close (co-regulating) and helping them use their sanctified imaginations to picture Jesus' presence with us in that moment.
i.e., "Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. ... Jesus says He will never leave us. Where do You imagine He is with us in this space right now? ... That's right. Take another deep breath. What do You think He wants to say to you? ... Take another deep breath. Is there anything you want to say to Him? ...
I've used this guided prayer practice to help my child work through the fear after nightmares, especially the ones they're not able to shake even when awake. And what surprises me is how this embodied way of praying and practicing the presence of Jesus comes so easily to children, and how it makes the Scripture we've memorized together come alive to both of us.
It's been a beautiful way that the Father has been discipling me, even as I disciple my children.
That is a powerful testimony and a wonderful tool to use in those moments! Thank you so much for sharing.
Learning our dependence on Jesus and resting in His presence is so important for all of us. How beautiful that a child can learn that at such an early age and have a lifetime of resting in Him.
Keep fighting the good fight and pointing your child to Christ! He is faithful!
It's the picture of "faith like a child," where our own children teach us what it looks like to believe with our hearts what we know to be true in our minds. Such a beautiful thing.
Because in so many ways, we have forgotten what childlike faith is. Oh that we could see and believe like a child once again. You are right. There is much we can learn from them.
I also wanted to add, kids who know the gospel have less anxiety overall, because the gospel teaches us where we came from, where we’re going, and what we’re supposed to do while we are here. It gives us purpose and meaning.
Amen to that one! It grounds is. It is our foundation for life. A pastor once said the gospel isn’t just for salvation. We should teach it to ourselves every day! We need it every day. All of us do.
Thank you for writing this, Matt! Such a timely subject!
I think this generation feels that life is just random, and this heightens their anxiety. They are an answer-oriented culture, and they don’t often see the process behind the answer.
For example, GPS tells right and left, but they rarely see the whole picture of the map. dictionary.com will give a definition, but they never use guide words to go through the process of looking up the word. Digital clocks tell the time, but they don’t show the passage of time like an analog clock does.
Kids get the answers, but they don’t really know why or how things work.
I work with kids helping them to develop better thinking skills and to build new neural pathways through the power of neuroplasticity. We always have parents in our sessions so they can learn how to mediate their child.
Mediation is just getting between the child and their environment and helping to interpret it. As parents, we do this when we are reading to a small child and pointing out things in the pictures and highlighting how many, what color, etc.
Think of it as two different sets of parents taking their children through a science museum. One parent lets their children run around, pushing buttons and pulling levers, but doesn’t engage with them in their experiments, while the other parent guides the child to read the instructions and points out interesting aspects of the display, gives guidance on how to experience it, and ask questions on what they learned.
They aren’t teaching or instructing. They are asking good questions to guide the child’s experience.
Children whose parents are good mediators have far less anxiety. They feel safer because their parents are explaining and communicating and helping them to know what is important and what isn’t and how to deal with their environment in the world around them.
With small children, it looks like reading books and learning about the world, such as talking to the child when they’re in your grocery cart about what kind of cereal to buy or why we can’t have all candy.
It changes as kids get older. By the time kids are teenagers, it is even more important to ask questions and not instruct with a heavy hand. Teens still need parent’s input in their lives. It’s seriously more important than ever at this time, but mediation—asking good questions and talking through things—will get you much further than direct instruction!
It takes present parents! We must be engaged with them, intentional, and involved. When we are not, they are not getting all they need. It’s a call to parents to really think about what they are doing for their child and how involved they are. Another reason to break away from screens and distractions.
We taught our daughter this as well when she would wake up with nightmares.
When she was young, we would always go in and pray with her, but when she got older, she began to experience the power of his name herself.
Our son knew this and shared with their cousin who also experienced nighttime terrors, and she came to faith in Christ because of the power of his name in freeing her.
I love how you said, “practicing the presence of Jesus.” When our children experience Him for themselves, not only does it reduce anxiety, but they know there is power in his name and are more likely to be faithful and to share Him with others.
That is a powerful testimony! It is amazing to see how leaning on Him can have an impact for our children, and even more incredible to know they go and share the good news with others as a result. For them, it is so easy and natural. Why do we as adults struggle with sharing our greatest news with others?
I think the key is what someone said in another comment here, “ practicing the presence of Jesus.” When children see this modeled for them, they understand it’s real and not just something we talk about on Sunday.
Thanks Matt for the article. Lots of good comments in this thread!
I’d just add my voice here to the importance of modelling by parents. My kids are now grown and out of the house but I often find myself looking back and realizing that some of my bad habits are still hurting my adult kids now.
There is a saying, “I can’t hear what you are saying cause your actions are speaking too loudly!”
As a parent of a young child, I’d urge you to be the example you want your child to become.
If you self-regulate through technology, your child will too.
If you self-medicate through media, your child will too.
If you go anywhere or do anything in a crisis other than go first to the Lord, your child will too.
Parenting is hard partly because our children are a mirror to our own sin and struggles. They will learn our bad habits far more quickly than our good ones.
Be intentional about walking and talking about and to the Lord in the presence of your children. Don’t just hope they’ll choose Jesus and obey him. Point them actively to Jesus every single day.
Those are some wise words. I appreciate you adding your voice to this conversation! Modeling is critical in parenting and I pray I do it well. How I want to point my kids to the Lord!
The idea that our kids are carrying “adult-level problems” without adult-level formation really resonates. I appreciate how practical this was — naming anxiety, modeling honesty, creating rhythms, even something as simple as square breathing with Scripture. It’s easy to blame screens, but you’re pointing parents back to presence, prayer, and steady habits in the home. I’ve been writing about how constant noise and future-focused fear pull us out of the present moment — and how rediscovering stillness changes everything. If it connects, here’s something I wrote recently: https://theeternalnowmm.substack.com/p/eternal-love?r=71z4jh
Love what you said that it’s not something we or are children are supposed to endure alone. Thank you for the practical techniques because I think that’s really what we need to know in those critical moments with our kids and in general.
"Let your kids know that we do not need to be ashamed of our anxious thoughts or keep them hidden. We should feel the freedom to talk about it."
This is such an important point! Anytime we bring our anxiety into the light, it automatically begins to shrink. When our kids know they can come to us with anything, that alone removes a layer of fear. It reassures them to know that their parents are there to guide them with a listening ear.
In all of this, I seek to find and provide simple tips anyone can use at home as we seek to point our kids to the Lord. I pray this is a blessing to you and others.
My kids are toddlers but I have definitely seen these signs in them. But I’ve often been unsure how to help them at their level. This was very helpful. Thank you for posting this!
Happy to help! Prayerful these tips pay benefits for you. I have also been so encouraged by the comments in this thread. Please read through them for other ideas and tips from other parents walking this road with us.
The signs to look for in our children is extremely helpful!
I also love the advice to admit our own struggles. I think this is important in many areas as a parent so that our kids don't feel shame around things!
It lets them know they are normal and that we all have struggles. It is part of life. It also gives them a safe space to turn to when they know we have been there.
Much like we know Jesus has walked this road before us and we can go to Him because He understands.
Great post, Matt. I realize I am potentially opening a can of worms here, but I can't underestimate the importance of parents here and being active rather than passive (don't read "controlling"). With the caveat that there are some homes with kids who do not have parents, good support, other economic and social issues, as a teacher I often see high school students from "secure" homes in which the parents are completely hands off when it comes to technology. The other day I had to continually wake up a student (I don't think I'm that boring) and he said he was up until 2am on his phone. My first thought (I didn't say it) was why is there no parent telling you to go to bed? A place to put your device? Screen time of any sort? This was also not an anomaly. It is a regular habit for him and many others. Parenting kids of any age is a challenge when it comes to technology, and it is clear why some just give up or don't even try. But it is a fight worth fighting. Our kids are being discipled. The question is by what?
I could not agree with you more! And it is so hard knowing that there are kids facing these struggles who either do not have parents or do not have parents who do not set proper boundaries in all of these areas.
I am sure you see a lot with your profession as well! This generation needs us to lead well, to model well, to set proper boundaries, to show how much we care.
It can start with something as simple as setting proper bedtimes and no screens in bedrooms at night.
My prayer is parents will see the urgency and will fight for their kids. I pray these articles this past month have been encouraging to challenge parents to fight that fight, do it well, and seek the Lord. May we bring others along with us as we do.
You are right, someone is discipling them. May it be us leading them to Christ!
Modeling is key, Matt. You’re right. Parenting is a joy, but it is not for the faint of heart. It will require much of you as you pour into your kids and shape them. Passive parenting is not enough to positively shape. I have learned this the hard way and had to repent when necessary. Keep fighting the good fight, Matt!
Appreciate it, Matt! None of us are perfect. Would not even pretend like I am. But we can always strive to do better and be intentional about how we lead our kids in all arenas of life.
Great practical tips. We definitely live in a generation where discipline is more important than ever. Our natural desire to connect needs to be put in check daily to ensure we aren’t over connecting now.
I really benefitted reading Haidt’s book on this issues, but I really appreciate you tackling it from a biblical, Christian perspective-centered perspective!
Even from a non-Christian perspectives he is very spot on about much of what this generation is facing.
But I truly appreciate the kind words. This is a challenge many parents are currently facing. Yet there is hope, and His name is Jesus. May we follow Him as we seek to lead our children well.
Glad they are helpful! I am all about making it super practical, easy, and natural for parents. I love passing along tips and tools that help parents hit a home run.
Parenting in this digital landscape requires far more emotional translation than most adults expected. I appreciate the emphasis on modeling because children learn far more from what we practice than what we preach. The physical symptoms you listed are ones I see frequently in anxious kids, especially stomach aches and perfectionism that get mislabeled as personality. Pairing faith practices with nervous system tools like square breathing is wise and practical. When kids feel both spiritually supported and physiologically regulated, their capacity to cope expands in meaningful ways.
I appreciate your reflection and am glad this spoke to you. I will be honest and say I did not realize all of these various aspects of anxiety until the last few years. I have researched and learned a lot about the kids I minister to. I think a lot of parents are where I was not that long ago. We just need to be better educated on how to recognize it and walk with our kids through this battle.
Pairing faith practices with nervous system tools—yes!! thanks for sharing this!
Anxious Generation or Modeled Generation?
Generation Alpha may be growing up in a louder world, but Scripture reminds us that what shapes a generation most is not noise, but modeling.
In Genesis, favoritism and fear did not remain isolated traits. Rebekah’s manipulation shaped Jacob. Jacob’s insecurity shaped his marriages. The rivalry in his home shaped his sons. What was tolerated in one generation became normalized in the next. The pattern was not accidental. It was modeled.
Today, anxiety can function in a similar way. Our children do not just hear our words about trusting God — they watch how we respond to storms, headlines, conflict, and uncertainty. If we react in fear, they learn fear. If we live in prayerful trust, they learn trust. Emotional tone becomes spiritual inheritance.
This is why the counsel to “point them to Jesus” is not merely advice — it is legacy work. When parents name their struggles, pray openly, slow their pace, and create rhythms grounded in God’s presence, they are doing more than calming a moment. They are shaping a generation.
The hope is this: just as God redeemed the broken patterns in Jacob’s family, He can redeem ours. We will pass something down. The question is not if, but what. When we choose to model faith over fear, prayer over panic, and presence over performance, we give our children something stronger than coping skills — we give them a living example of trust in God.
And what is modeled in Christ can become multiplied in the next generation.
If you would like to explore the biblical foundation behind this principle more deeply, I invite you to read my article, “Your Children Become What You Model: A Biblical Story Every Parent Needs to Hear.” It walks through the generational patterns in Genesis and shows how what we live today becomes the legacy our children carry tomorrow. https://open.substack.com/pub/faithbindsus/p/your-children-become-what-you-model?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
I agree! I have long said that one of the most important aspects of parenting is modeling. They will most likely practice what they see in us (our actions) even more than our words. But our words and actions should both be in alignment.
I appreciate this word and this reminder. If we model how we handle anxiety appropriately, then they will learn from us and follow suit as well. Much of it falls on us.
Modeling and patterns! Yes!
And nothing is worse than a parent who who doesn’t follow what they teach their children. Children are watching your feet more than they are listening to your words.
I also think patterns and routines are super helpful for kids. (Not rigid) It gives them security to know what is next and why.
I often share with parents—make sure that your child has access to your calendar and that you talk to them about what’s coming and when it is.
Lots of kids that come through my door come every week at the same time but if you ask them, they would have no idea what day or when they come.
I can’t imagine going through life not knowing when I do things, what time, how things are ordered and structured. But a lot of kids are going through life blind like this.
The old Schoolhouse Rock videos used to say “knowledge is power.” I think this applies, but maybe better said would be “knowledge could equal a little more security.”
My wife preaches this as one who worked in SPED for years. She made many visual schedules and believes in cueing kids on what is coming next and sequencing. Kids thrive on routine and need that structure. Which all can help lessen any anxiety they are feeling.
So glad you're sharing this from a biblical, discipleship perspective, Matt. I have a child who struggles with crippling anxiety, and I've found these same practices helpful in our own family, especially holding them close (co-regulating) and helping them use their sanctified imaginations to picture Jesus' presence with us in that moment.
i.e., "Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. ... Jesus says He will never leave us. Where do You imagine He is with us in this space right now? ... That's right. Take another deep breath. What do You think He wants to say to you? ... Take another deep breath. Is there anything you want to say to Him? ...
I've used this guided prayer practice to help my child work through the fear after nightmares, especially the ones they're not able to shake even when awake. And what surprises me is how this embodied way of praying and practicing the presence of Jesus comes so easily to children, and how it makes the Scripture we've memorized together come alive to both of us.
It's been a beautiful way that the Father has been discipling me, even as I disciple my children.
Thanks for sharing.
That is a powerful testimony and a wonderful tool to use in those moments! Thank you so much for sharing.
Learning our dependence on Jesus and resting in His presence is so important for all of us. How beautiful that a child can learn that at such an early age and have a lifetime of resting in Him.
Keep fighting the good fight and pointing your child to Christ! He is faithful!
It's the picture of "faith like a child," where our own children teach us what it looks like to believe with our hearts what we know to be true in our minds. Such a beautiful thing.
Because in so many ways, we have forgotten what childlike faith is. Oh that we could see and believe like a child once again. You are right. There is much we can learn from them.
I also wanted to add, kids who know the gospel have less anxiety overall, because the gospel teaches us where we came from, where we’re going, and what we’re supposed to do while we are here. It gives us purpose and meaning.
Amen to that one! It grounds is. It is our foundation for life. A pastor once said the gospel isn’t just for salvation. We should teach it to ourselves every day! We need it every day. All of us do.
Thank you for writing this, Matt! Such a timely subject!
I think this generation feels that life is just random, and this heightens their anxiety. They are an answer-oriented culture, and they don’t often see the process behind the answer.
For example, GPS tells right and left, but they rarely see the whole picture of the map. dictionary.com will give a definition, but they never use guide words to go through the process of looking up the word. Digital clocks tell the time, but they don’t show the passage of time like an analog clock does.
Kids get the answers, but they don’t really know why or how things work.
I work with kids helping them to develop better thinking skills and to build new neural pathways through the power of neuroplasticity. We always have parents in our sessions so they can learn how to mediate their child.
Mediation is just getting between the child and their environment and helping to interpret it. As parents, we do this when we are reading to a small child and pointing out things in the pictures and highlighting how many, what color, etc.
Think of it as two different sets of parents taking their children through a science museum. One parent lets their children run around, pushing buttons and pulling levers, but doesn’t engage with them in their experiments, while the other parent guides the child to read the instructions and points out interesting aspects of the display, gives guidance on how to experience it, and ask questions on what they learned.
They aren’t teaching or instructing. They are asking good questions to guide the child’s experience.
Children whose parents are good mediators have far less anxiety. They feel safer because their parents are explaining and communicating and helping them to know what is important and what isn’t and how to deal with their environment in the world around them.
With small children, it looks like reading books and learning about the world, such as talking to the child when they’re in your grocery cart about what kind of cereal to buy or why we can’t have all candy.
It changes as kids get older. By the time kids are teenagers, it is even more important to ask questions and not instruct with a heavy hand. Teens still need parent’s input in their lives. It’s seriously more important than ever at this time, but mediation—asking good questions and talking through things—will get you much further than direct instruction!
It takes present parents! We must be engaged with them, intentional, and involved. When we are not, they are not getting all they need. It’s a call to parents to really think about what they are doing for their child and how involved they are. Another reason to break away from screens and distractions.
Yes! There is power in the name of Jesus! Amen!
We taught our daughter this as well when she would wake up with nightmares.
When she was young, we would always go in and pray with her, but when she got older, she began to experience the power of his name herself.
Our son knew this and shared with their cousin who also experienced nighttime terrors, and she came to faith in Christ because of the power of his name in freeing her.
I love how you said, “practicing the presence of Jesus.” When our children experience Him for themselves, not only does it reduce anxiety, but they know there is power in his name and are more likely to be faithful and to share Him with others.
That is a powerful testimony! It is amazing to see how leaning on Him can have an impact for our children, and even more incredible to know they go and share the good news with others as a result. For them, it is so easy and natural. Why do we as adults struggle with sharing our greatest news with others?
I think the key is what someone said in another comment here, “ practicing the presence of Jesus.” When children see this modeled for them, they understand it’s real and not just something we talk about on Sunday.
That’s the key to all aspects of parenting I believe. Number one: point them to Jesus. Number two: what we say and how we model.
Thanks Matt for the article. Lots of good comments in this thread!
I’d just add my voice here to the importance of modelling by parents. My kids are now grown and out of the house but I often find myself looking back and realizing that some of my bad habits are still hurting my adult kids now.
There is a saying, “I can’t hear what you are saying cause your actions are speaking too loudly!”
As a parent of a young child, I’d urge you to be the example you want your child to become.
If you self-regulate through technology, your child will too.
If you self-medicate through media, your child will too.
If you go anywhere or do anything in a crisis other than go first to the Lord, your child will too.
Parenting is hard partly because our children are a mirror to our own sin and struggles. They will learn our bad habits far more quickly than our good ones.
Be intentional about walking and talking about and to the Lord in the presence of your children. Don’t just hope they’ll choose Jesus and obey him. Point them actively to Jesus every single day.
Those are some wise words. I appreciate you adding your voice to this conversation! Modeling is critical in parenting and I pray I do it well. How I want to point my kids to the Lord!
You addressed this wonderfully, Matt.
Thank you, Ali! I am so glad it has resonated with so many of you this week!
The idea that our kids are carrying “adult-level problems” without adult-level formation really resonates. I appreciate how practical this was — naming anxiety, modeling honesty, creating rhythms, even something as simple as square breathing with Scripture. It’s easy to blame screens, but you’re pointing parents back to presence, prayer, and steady habits in the home. I’ve been writing about how constant noise and future-focused fear pull us out of the present moment — and how rediscovering stillness changes everything. If it connects, here’s something I wrote recently: https://theeternalnowmm.substack.com/p/eternal-love?r=71z4jh
Thank you for the encouragement and support! I am so glad to hear this related with you. I will try to check out your work today.
Would you consider subscribing? Would love for your voice to join our community as we discuss topics such as this!
Love what you said that it’s not something we or are children are supposed to endure alone. Thank you for the practical techniques because I think that’s really what we need to know in those critical moments with our kids and in general.
That is my aim no matter the topic, to leave parents with practical tips they can use and apply in their homes today. Glad they are helpful!
A great overview and encouraging hope in Jesus, Matt.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m glad it spoke to you and was encouraging. There is always hope!
"Let your kids know that we do not need to be ashamed of our anxious thoughts or keep them hidden. We should feel the freedom to talk about it."
This is such an important point! Anytime we bring our anxiety into the light, it automatically begins to shrink. When our kids know they can come to us with anything, that alone removes a layer of fear. It reassures them to know that their parents are there to guide them with a listening ear.
Thanks for sharing this much needed article!
I am so happy to do so and glad it spoke to you.
In all of this, I seek to find and provide simple tips anyone can use at home as we seek to point our kids to the Lord. I pray this is a blessing to you and others.
My kids are toddlers but I have definitely seen these signs in them. But I’ve often been unsure how to help them at their level. This was very helpful. Thank you for posting this!
Happy to help! Prayerful these tips pay benefits for you. I have also been so encouraged by the comments in this thread. Please read through them for other ideas and tips from other parents walking this road with us.
The signs to look for in our children is extremely helpful!
I also love the advice to admit our own struggles. I think this is important in many areas as a parent so that our kids don't feel shame around things!
It lets them know they are normal and that we all have struggles. It is part of life. It also gives them a safe space to turn to when they know we have been there.
Much like we know Jesus has walked this road before us and we can go to Him because He understands.
Exactly! I think our kids can often forget we have struggles as well (at least I used to forget that with my parents).
Great post, Matt. I realize I am potentially opening a can of worms here, but I can't underestimate the importance of parents here and being active rather than passive (don't read "controlling"). With the caveat that there are some homes with kids who do not have parents, good support, other economic and social issues, as a teacher I often see high school students from "secure" homes in which the parents are completely hands off when it comes to technology. The other day I had to continually wake up a student (I don't think I'm that boring) and he said he was up until 2am on his phone. My first thought (I didn't say it) was why is there no parent telling you to go to bed? A place to put your device? Screen time of any sort? This was also not an anomaly. It is a regular habit for him and many others. Parenting kids of any age is a challenge when it comes to technology, and it is clear why some just give up or don't even try. But it is a fight worth fighting. Our kids are being discipled. The question is by what?
I could not agree with you more! And it is so hard knowing that there are kids facing these struggles who either do not have parents or do not have parents who do not set proper boundaries in all of these areas.
I am sure you see a lot with your profession as well! This generation needs us to lead well, to model well, to set proper boundaries, to show how much we care.
It can start with something as simple as setting proper bedtimes and no screens in bedrooms at night.
My prayer is parents will see the urgency and will fight for their kids. I pray these articles this past month have been encouraging to challenge parents to fight that fight, do it well, and seek the Lord. May we bring others along with us as we do.
You are right, someone is discipling them. May it be us leading them to Christ!
Modeling is key, Matt. You’re right. Parenting is a joy, but it is not for the faint of heart. It will require much of you as you pour into your kids and shape them. Passive parenting is not enough to positively shape. I have learned this the hard way and had to repent when necessary. Keep fighting the good fight, Matt!
Appreciate it, Matt! None of us are perfect. Would not even pretend like I am. But we can always strive to do better and be intentional about how we lead our kids in all arenas of life.
Great practical tips. We definitely live in a generation where discipline is more important than ever. Our natural desire to connect needs to be put in check daily to ensure we aren’t over connecting now.
It’s definitely a struggle!
Appreciate it, Justin! Glad it was helpful and thank you for taking time to read it. Challenging for sure but not without hope.
I really benefitted reading Haidt’s book on this issues, but I really appreciate you tackling it from a biblical, Christian perspective-centered perspective!
Even from a non-Christian perspectives he is very spot on about much of what this generation is facing.
But I truly appreciate the kind words. This is a challenge many parents are currently facing. Yet there is hope, and His name is Jesus. May we follow Him as we seek to lead our children well.
I love the practical tools to help when struggling
Glad they are helpful! I am all about making it super practical, easy, and natural for parents. I love passing along tips and tools that help parents hit a home run.