Real World Parents

Teens Destroy iPad

2010-04-05T21:37:38+00:00

{REL[music-artist]zDGUNvnIREL} In a popular weekend YouTube video, a group of teen guys smash a brand new iPad to bits. So is this is a youthful rebellion against the idols of their parent’s generation? Is it a bold statement about rejecting the technological materialism that is endemic in our society? Not so much. But maybe it still has something to say about teens and money and wisdom.

Fear vs. God

2010-04-05T19:35:14+00:00

Many kids go through stages where fear seems to be ruling their lives. This week we’re looking for opportunities to talk to our kids about how focusing on God’s power and presence can help to shrink fear down to size. {REL[music-artist]zDGUNvnIREL}

Debbie Chavez Interview with Mark Matlock

2010-04-02T18:22:02+00:00

{REL[music-artist]zDGUNvnIREL} On Thursday, April 1st, Mark Matlock, founder of Real World Parents, was interviewed by Debbie Chavez. Mark talked about how to parent proactively and truly prepare your kids to make their own great choices. You can listen to the interview online.

Teaching Kids Money Wisdom

2010-03-30T01:23:02+00:00

{REL[music-artist]zDGUNvnIREL} A new survey by TheMint.org (reported on Credit.com) reveals that 68 percent of teens polled said their parents had the most influence on their spending and saving habits. The bad news is that 70 percent say also say their parents “sometimes spent on silly purchases and rarely met with them over money management.”

Making Passion Week Personal

2010-03-29T22:23:38+00:00

Most of our churches will spend this week emphasizing the events and messages of Passion Week, the celebration of what was accomplished through Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection on the third day. But the week also provides an opportunity for families to personalize those ideas by talking about them together. {REL[music-artist]zDGUNvnIREL}

Father/Daughter Reading Record

2010-03-26T00:31:17+00:00

{REL[music-artist]zDGUNvnIREL} Do you read with your kids? I bet you’ll want to do it more after you read this great piece in the New York Times great piece in the New York Times about how Jim Brozina read to his daughter Kristen for thousands of nights in a row.

Before They Drift Away

2010-03-23T00:18:21+00:00

{REL[music-artist]zDGUNvnIREL} Christian Smith’s revealing research of 18-23-year-olds suggests some powerful things Christian parents can do when their kids are younger to help them avoid the spiritual drift that happens to so many young adults in the college years.

More Walking Talk

2010-03-22T23:24:35+00:00

Picking up from last week, we’re looking for opportunities to talk more with our kids about what it looks like to live as a Christian—what it means for them to walk instead of crawl as they grow to be more like Jesus. {REL[music-artist]zDGUNvnIREL}

What to Do about Cheating

2010-03-16T22:28:03+00:00

{REL[music-artist]zDGUNvnIREL} Teachers can only be so smart when it comes to preventing cheating. The real first line of defense is to capture the heart of students, to convince them not only that it is wrong to cheat, but that it matters if they do wrong. Unless students are committed to refusing to cheat under any circumstances, cheating will continue. If you ever want to have a great conversation about the nature of truth and situational morality, ask a roomful of teenagers if it is ever okay to cheat. And then ask them if they ever do.

Talking about Walking

2010-03-15T18:31:30+00:00

What are your spiritual goals—or hopes—for your Christian children? What benchmarks of progress are you looking for in their relationship with God? What expectations do they have for themselves when it comes to following after Christ? {REL[music-artist]zDGUNvnIREL}