Episode 11: Parenting During COVID-19, Pt. 2

04.07.20 | Parent Resources, Making History Podcast

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    SHOW NOTES
    Questions we ask
    1. One of the ways we combat seasons like this is being grateful for the things and people around us. What are ways we can make this a priority in our family?
    2. What are additional ways we can be intentional with our kids?
    3. Every season provides unique opportunities to love others well. What are ways families can serve and be missionally focused during COVID-19?
    4. God always uses seasons for a purpose to grow His children, including us as parents. How is God using quarantine to shape your character and heart to look more like Him? What does it look like to rely on Him completely? How does that impact your family now?
    5. What is a message to encourage parents today?
    Highlights:
    • One way to combat the loneliness, displacement and grumpiness of this season is to have an attitude of gratitude. Help your kids be grateful for the things we do have! List it out, make and send cards, be creative and intentional to focus outside of ourselves.
    • Make sure they stay connected! Be creative in ways to stay connected. Just because we are physically distanced, doesn’t mean we have to be socially absent from each other’s lives. 
    • Use the additional family time (meals around the table, family devotions, conversations about Jesus and how to be grateful, really processing what God is doing and teaching us, having fun together) to be intentional. This time is a gift!
    • God has given us a great deal of margin in this season. Remember those “we can” statements. Those are wisdom statements, not our weapons.
    • We have to create more opportunities, in this season, to read Scripture with our kids and pray with them. This is truly something the Lord will use to show us Himself and miracles!
    • Create schedules and let your kids help you write them down and make them crafty and fun. This helps your kids look forward to what’s next in their days.
    • Schedule in devotional time as a family and scripture memory time, too. 
    • When life goes back to “normal,” we want to be sure these spiritual practices stick, and that your kiddos want to own and continue these practices!
    • What’s our COVID-19 story going to be? How are we going to celebrate what God did during this season and carry new priorities into the next season?
    • We have to model what it looks like to think outside of ourselves in this season. There are so many ways you can help and serve as a family, safely, during this time! 
    • Make cards, write notes, send mail, check on neighbors before heading the grocery store, creating fun drawings and putting them in windows, on sidewalks, etc, to spread joy!
    • Invite people to join us online for church. We have to share the good news of Jesus!
    • Model spiritual growth for your kids. Your kids will not get closer to Christ than you are willing to take them and lead them. Let them catch you spending time in His Word, praying, serving, etc.
    • With your spouse, spend time talking about what things are going well in your marriage and family while also talking honestly about things you need to work on as you have more time together. This can be a hard season to work through those things, but it can be a beautiful way that God transforms your homes and lives.
    • God is in control and He has this! He will use this for His glory and our good. Remember who He is and all He has done for us and through us! 
    • Every day matters! If today didn’t go how you wanted it to, it’s okay. His mercies are new every morning and you get a chance to start over each time. Take advantage of every moment as you can.  
    • Set new priorities that will last beyond COVID-19! Rather than seeing the impossibilities, what are the possibilities in this season? 
    • We love you and are your biggest fans!
    Resources: