Parenting is a journey. As your child transitions into the school years, you will encounter a new set of opportunities for growth. This course is designed to guide you through some of what you can expect, so you can prepare well, keeping discipleship front of mind through it all. Parenting a school aged child is different from parenting your baby or toddler or a teen. There is no one way or right way, but there are a number of principles to consider as you navigate this next phase of parenthood.
The course is designed for parents preparing for the school years, though still very fruitful for those already parenting school aged children. The course can be completed independently, or with a small group of others in the same season of life. If completing the course independently, after completing each section, you may like to meet with other parents to talk it through. This is best when the parents you meet and share with are a few years ahead of you in the parenting journey.
There are three sections, with a total of fifteen topics covered and some final thoughts. For each section, the workbook will walk you through a series of short video clips. Each clip is paired with questions and activities to encourage prayer, reflection, conversation and planning.
If you are a leader in another church you are welcome to use the Prepare to Parent: School Years resource in your church community. Please get in touch and let us know how it goes! This is offered as a free resource owned by The Street Church therefore you are not permitted to make financial profit off this course (if necessary you may charge a fee to cover any costs you incur such as printing of booklets).
Parenting a school-aged child is a whole new season. Designed for parents entering the school years, this course combines practical tools with biblical wisdom. Through engaging video sessions and a conversation-based workbook, you’ll explore topics like child development, transition to school, healthy family culture, sexuality, identity, discipleship and more.
Your personal discipleship journey is the foundation for your parenting and will help to shape the influence you have on your child. Reflecting on your spiritual health will be more important than anything else we will go on to look at through the remainder of this course.
Every child is unique, and a roadmap for the journey through the school years will look different for every child. With broad brush strokes, this section seeks to paint a snapshot of some commonalities you can expect. Continue to be a student of the child God has given you - learn who they are becoming, and be intentional about loving them consistently through each transition.
Partnering with your school and others in a coaching or teaching role with your child over these years is a privilege. It benefits the education and development of your child and gives you the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people you encounter. For this partnership to be most fruitful, there needs to be a healthy balance of involvement, realistic expectations and trust.
As your child moves through the school years, they will encounter all sorts of new opportunities and experiences. As the parent, you will need to consistently navigate setting boundaries, limitations and giving permissions. Navigating these things is hard, but important in the formation and discipleship of your child.
There is a lot of conversation and confusion around identity. The Bible tells us that we are created in the image of God. Children will be exposed to many different schools of thought. Pointing children to Jesus to find the answer to this question will help them arrive at the right destination.
