It Takes A Village
Welcome to It Takes a Village, a podcast for parents of teenagers. This podcast is hosted by the Youth Ministry staff at First Baptist Arlington. You're not alone in this parenting journey! Here you'll find resources and ideas to help equip you as the primary discipler in your child's life. Each week, we'll discuss different topics and issues that directly affect teenagers, along with real life ways that you can intentionally support and shape your child.
Your Influence as a Parent
In this weeks episode of It Takes a Village we discuss Your Influence as a Parent.
From the moment a child is born, they begin to absorb information and learn from their surroundings. It's crucial for parents to be aware of the power of their influence. Parenting is more than just providing for basic needs; it's about shaping a child's values, beliefs, and behaviors. We explore ways in which parents can positively impact their children's lives. Begin with the end in mind!
External influences can shape a child's perspectives and values, often in ways parents may...
Back to School Family Rhythms
It Takes a Village is back!
In this episode, Kurt, Tanner, and Chelsea talk about getting back into the rhythm of the school year. Through important connections like family dinner, prayer, and encouragement, we can shepherd our children through a time that can be exhausting.
Resources:
Home Word Center - Topics for Helping Families Succeed
The Family Dinner Project - Recipes for families to try, conservation of week guides, tips on eating as a family and MORE!
Khan Academy - FREE video lessons for multiple subjects. Teachers sometimes use in classroom to help de...
Body Image In Teenagers
Join Kurt, Chelsea, and Tanner in this week's episode of It Takes a Village to discuss what body image is
and how it affects the way we think about and treat ourselves, including some memorable comments
we've received about our bodies over the years. The team discusses ways to instill positive body image
in children, signs to look out for, and biblical encouragement regarding these bodies we've been given.
Resources:
Detecting Body Image Issues In Teens By Walt Mueller
I Hate My Body... | Body Image & Insecurities | A Christian Guy's Perspective [Part 1] by Dai...
Open Conversations about Sex
Kurt and Chelsea are joined by Children's Minister, David Butts, to discuss what it looks like to have open conversations about sex at each stage with children, from preschool to high school. Though it can be awkward, it is important for parents to be a safe, reliable source of information for their children regarding development, their bodies, and sex. It's never too early and it's not too late!
Resources:
Teaching Your Children Healthy Sexuality: A Biblical Approach to Prepare Them for Life Jim Burns
@ birds_bees on Instagram
Addressing Pornography
The youth ministry team discusses pornography and how to address it with you teen.
A conversation about what pornography is, why it is wrong, and how we can prepare our teens for when they encounter it.
Resources:
Fight The New Drug - researched based on ways to get help with addictions
Living Hope Ministries - porn-addiction help including podcasts
Triple X Church -website and they also host the Live Free app
Covenant Eyes - resources and tools
The Gospel & Pornography by Moore & Walker
Smartphone Sanity by Eaton & Callihan
Cultivating Parenting Mentor Relationships
In this episode of It Takes a Village, Chelsea and Tanner are joined by Kelli McDaniel to discuss the importance of adult parents having relationships with other parents, to encourage with wisdom and experience. This week's guest, Kelli, discusses with the team how cultivating relationships with other parents can be beneficial practically and spiritually through your parenting journey.
Resources:
Women's, Wive's and Momma's on Facebook
Reddit.com (r/Parenting, r/parentingteenagers)
Kelli Filling in- the church!
Managing Difficult Relationships With Your Teenager
The youth team discusses navigating difficult relationships between teens and their friends, family, etc.
Resources:
Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend
The Teenage Brain by Frances E. Jensen
Families Where Grace is in Place by Jeff VanVonderen
It Takes a Village Holiday Special
Kurt, Chelsea and Tanner share funny stories, traditions, spiritual practices around Christmas to focus our hearts on the true meaning.
Preparing Your Child For Social Media
In this episode Chelsea, Tanner and Kurt give insight to preparing your child for social media as well as how social media and phones can impact your teen. There are positives and negatives of social media for you and your teen. The goal is to find a balance with social media and not let it take over your life. The three discuss their own personal journey through social media and how they have adapted to this changing technology as well as some mishaps along the way.
References:
Queen Bees and Wannabees by Rosalind Wiseman
The...
Boundaries Around Phones For Teenagers
In this episode of It Takes a Village, Kurt, Tanner, and Chelsea discuss different ways that parents can help teens have a healthy relationship with technology. Specifically, their cell phones.
LINKS/Resources:
Parent Cue Cellphone agreement Five boundaries to put in place for your kids new technology liturgiesforparents on Instagram focuses on Prayers & Liturgies for Parents Cell phone carriers parental controls: Should you buy them? by Tech Detox The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch Right Click: Parenting Your Teenager In A Digital Media World by Kara Powell or...Getting Your Teenager To Open Up
We know that sometimes it's like pulling teeth to get your teenager to open up and talk to you. In this episode of It Takes a Village, Kurt, Tanner, and Chelsea talk through practical ideas to help parents connect better with their teenagers. Whether it's just to hear how their day went or to understand a major struggle they're having, these tools can help create space for conversation.
LINKS/Resources:
Meet Generation Z: Understanding and Reaching the New Post-Christian World 30 Days by Dr. Richard Ross Axis.org some free resources but subscription is required for full u...Building A Network Of Adults In Your Child's Life
Parenting is not for the faint of heart - it's a tough job, but God has uniquely prepared you for it! In this episode of It Takes a Village, Kurt, Chelsea, and Tanner discuss engaging the village to help for care and encourage your teenager because they will need other adults to speak into their lives.
Don't worry if your child doesn't tell you everything. Find a network within you church, family or other positive role models. Having your child open up to a trusted adult will be beneficial for you and your child.
Sometimes w...
Introduction
In this introductory episode of It Takes a Village, Kurt, Tanner, and Chelsea introduce themselves. They also talk about what you can expect in future episodes!
Kurt went to East Texas Baptist College and then Southwestern Seminary Chelsea went to THE University of Texas @ Austin and then Southwestern Seminary Tanner went to University of Mary-Harden Baylor and then George W. Truett Theological Seminary @ Baylor University
