Parenting Blog | Parenting Axis

Christian Parenting Resources for Better Parenting

Have you ever heard the phrase “it takes a village” in reference to raising kids? The job of parenting your children and raising them to be strong Christians (and functioning human adults) is a lot of responsibility. But fortunately for you, there are an abundance of resources out there for you when you are parenting your kids. These Christian parenting resources offer free tips, tricks, and support for the important work of raising your kids.

Christian Parenting Organizations

Axis

Axis is a great resource for all your parenting needs. We know the real work of raising kids in this complicated and challenging world, so we have compiled these resources for raising strong kids in the 21st century. Our Culture Translator is a weekly email that comes straight to your inbox and helps you unpack the ever-changing world of teens, from lingo to pop culture. And our Conversation Kits help you have those hard conversations with your kids about the topics that the Bible doesn’t have clear answers on (like doubt, depression, and social media usage).

We at Axis want to equip you to parent to the best of your abilities with these resources.

Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family is a giant name in the Christian parenting industry. They provide a plethora of resources for parents in all stages of parenting. Their Focus on Parenting podcast is released multiple times a week and covers topics from relationships with grandparents to loving your kids well. Focus on the Family also offers quality publications like Adventures in Odyssey (a beloved radio drama series for kids of all ages) and Plugged In (a movie review site that keeps a Christian worldview at the forefront of all their reviews).

They also have published a variety of parenting books to help parents raise their children with Biblical principles in mind.

Books and Podcasts

The Axis Podcast Network

The Axis Podcast Network includes multiple podcasts that will help you stay up to date with what the kids are saying, and learn how to have deep and meaningful conversations with your kids. The Culture Translator Podcast, the Round Table Podcast, and the One Conversation Podcast all focus on you having the best relationship with your children and learning to talk with them well.

Courageous Parenting

The Courageous Parenting Podcast is a weekly podcast that provides parental and marital support to Christians. They release a new podcast every Tuesday and have covered topics like “how to deal with lying”, “how to spend one on one time with your kid”, and “marriage communication tips”.

14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family

If you are a busy parent (carpooling, sports, school, playdates, work), it can be easy to lose sight of our ultimate purpose as parents. In this book, Paul Tripp offers parents more than just a parental to-do list. He presents us with a bird’s eye view of God’s plan for us as parents. This book is founded on the Gospel and gives parents the vision to parent their children for Christ.

A Parent's Guide to Teen Fomo

Your teens want deep and meaningful relationships with friends and family, but FOMO (fear of missing out) can become a stressful burden that robs them of joy. When social media creates the illusion that everyone else is living a better life than you, depression and anxiety can creep in. This pocket-size guide is packed with explanations, tips, and discussion questions to help parents guide their teens to live FOMO-free.

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Other Parenting Resources

Liturgies for Parents

Remembering to pray throughout your busy day is a challenge. When the kids are screaming, the carpool line is long, and dinner is burning, we forget to pray for the small things in our lives. Liturgies for parents offers quick and simple prayers to remind you pray throughout your day and invite God into the nuances of your busy parenting life.

Awanas

You may be familiar with Awanas (you may have even done Awanas yourself, once upon a time), but it is a great parenting resource. Awanas is a weekly activity where kids gather to read and memorize Scripture, play, worship, and have fun together. Awanas is typically run out of a church, so your local congregation may even have an Awanas branch already running! This activity is a great way to meet other Christians families and encourage your kids to hide God’s word in their hearts.

The Bible Project

Your child may have had the “my first Bible” picture book, but eventually they will need to start reading the Bible as a whole (hopefully reading it with you!). But as your kids start exploring Scripture, they are gonna need guidance and will probably be asking a lot of questions. The Bible Project is a great resource for parents and helps you unpack complex and heady theological concepts with your kids. Their videos are informative and fun to watch, and great for families to watch together.

We know that you walk a careful balance when it comes to parenting your kids and teens through the 21st century.

Whether you are facing a tough conversation with your child and don’t have the words to begin, or you’re getting a jumpstart on the teenage years ahead, Axis is for you.

Join us as we parent together from elementary to high school and beyond.

Written in partnership with Reach The Lost.

Biblical Principles for Parenting Your Kids

Parenting in the 21st century is tough. Between the constant needs of your kids, the demands and expectations of the world, and, oh yeah, the need for sleep, the weight of parenting falls heavy. You want to be a good parent, and Biblical parenting is important. But unfortunately the Bible isn’t a how-to manual of how to train up a child in the way of God. The Bible is still full of wisdom for how to lead and guide your children well.

As Christian parents, we rely on God’s word to inform all of our life, including our parenting. Here are 5 Biblical principles for parenting your children.

Parenting is a whole life endeavor

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

When you are parenting your children in the ways of God, you want His truths to really stick. But just telling them the Gospel and hoping that sticks isn’t going to work. Deuteronomy says that teaching your kids is a round-the-clock job: at home and on the road, in the morning and at night, in plain sight where you see it every day.

This means that teaching your children how to love God is a whole life process. You don’t just relegate it to family Bible study or church on Sunday mornings. It also means that parenting isn’t just about the obvious topics. You are going to parent your kid through some tough and confusing topics. Try these resources for having whole-life discipleship conversations with your kids. Parenting your kids is something you never stop doing.

You don’t parent alone

“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

1 Samuel 1:15-18

Parenting is tough, and there are days where you will be heart-broken, discouraged, frustrated, and downright mad. You are going to feel like Hannah, in 1 Samuel. You’re gonna feel like every other parent who has ever lived: like you’re failing, like you are falling apart, like you can’t do anything right. If you are deeply troubled (like Hannah was), take heart in knowing that God listens to and answers your prayers.

God listens and remembers you in your most frustrating and discouraging moments as a parent. When you parent, you don’t do so alone. The Holy Spirit has been promised to you and helps you lead your children to God.

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Aim for holy character, not good behavior

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Matthew 7:21-23

There will be times when you feel like you are dealing with your kid’s behavior and actions: disobedience, disrespect, lying, stealing… But when you are experiencing negative behavior, there’s a lot more under the surface; what is happening in your child’s heart? The same can be said for their positive behavior. Just because they are super kind or thoughtful doesn’t mean they are being shaped into someone more like Jesus.

The easy temptation of parenthood is to work on behavior modification: punish bad behavior and reward good behavior. But raising kids to love God, read the Bible, and be more like Jesus is about developing their character. Actions and behaviors aren’t the same as truly knowing Christ. Encourage your children to know Christ deeply, not just “behave well”.

Discipline is about consequences and change, not punishment

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it…

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

Proverbs 22:6, 15

You will inevitably run up against the need for discipline with your kids. In fact, it is a Biblically encouraged practice. But whenever Scripture talks about discipline, it is not in reference to punishment. The Bible encourages us to discipline our children because it shapes them into the right kind of people, not because they deserve punishment. Healthy and Biblical discipline helps children understand the natural consequences of their actions, and promote change. And more than that, discipline acts as the natural guardrails that protect your child from danger and guides them down a road towards Jesus.

Finding the balance between discipline that is about behavior management and about good character formation can be tricky. But when you discipline your child, remember that you aren’t angling for a better behaved child, but rather a child that loves Jesus and knows Him in their heart.

Your parenting fruit comes from your identity in Christ

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

You want to be a good parent. You want to love your children well and shepherd them to know Jesus. You want to teach them God’s wisdom and truth. And you want to do it all while being perfectly patient and kind. And by your own power, it is impossible to do all that. But you are not relying on your own power. Your parenting comes from the power of the Holy Spirit.

When you are finding your own identity in Christ and relying on Him, you might just find yourself being more loving, joyful, patient, and kind. When the Holy Spirit is overflowing in you, it will naturally spill over into your parenting. That’s not to say that if you snap at your kids you don’t have the Holy Spirit (remember, it’s okay to mess up). But it’s important to remember that your personal spiritual life will inform your parenting. Invite Jesus into your parenting and through Him, you will see fruit.

We know that you walk a careful balance when it comes to parenting your kids and teens through the 21st century.

Whether you are facing a tough conversation with your child and don’t have the words to begin, or you’re getting a jumpstart on the teenage years ahead, Axis is for you.

Join us as we parent together from elementary to high school and beyond.

Written in partnership with Reach The Lost.

5 Tips for Leading your Child to Christ

Parenting in the 21st century is tough. Between the constant needs of your kids, the demands and expectations of the world, and, oh yeah, the need for sleep, the weight of parenting falls heavy. And most heavy is the burden of leading your child to Christ. If you feel lost or discouraged on how to lead your children to Christ, you are not alone. These 5 tips can help you start the lifelong process of discipleship with your children.

Teach Your Kids the Gospel

The very foundation of any faith, including your child’s, is a solid knowledge of the Gospel. This doesn’t just mean that you teach your kids the crucifixion and resurrection story (although that’s important). A full understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ means knowing why He came and why we need Him.

We always encourage starting with Scripture when teaching kids the Gospel. Help your children unpack these different passages to understand the beauty of the Gospel. Kids who have a deep and growing understanding of the Gospel will begin to live it out in their lives.

John 3:16 : For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 3:23 – 24 : For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (and all of these Romans verses)

Encourage Ongoing Conversations

Questions and doubts aren’t something that you should hide away or fear in your child. Any question that they have is an opportunity to have a conversation with them. You would rather your child talk to you about their questions than turn to other places, like friends at school or the internet. You are the best person to have ongoing conversations with your child, regardless of the topic.

Maybe your kids have questions about gender and sexuality, or about social media and video games. Take advantage and have these conversations (and if you don’t know how to start, we have some free resources for having these tough conversations with your kids). And as you open yourself up to these ongoing conversations, you build trust with your child. It’s okay if you don’t have the answers to all their questions. Use this precious time as an opportunity to ask questions and learn together. Remember, faith isn’t a destination but a journey. Join the journey with your child.

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Demonstrate Your Own Faith

Studies have continuously shown that the first and primary teachers of children are their parents. You have an opportunity to demonstrate your own faith to your children and teach them what a real life relationship with Jesus looks like. If your faith is on display to your kids, they will learn by example.

When you invite your kids into your own faith, they are much more likely to own the faith as their own. Maybe this looks like serving as a family at your church. Maybe this looks like having family Bible study. Maybe this means apologizing to your kids when you mess up and asking for their forgiveness. Don’t miss out on this simple opportunity to invite your family into your faith. Like Proverbs 22:6 says, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Immerse them in Believing Community

According to The Fuller Youth Institute, young people are more likely to grow in the faith when they have a team of at least five Christian adults investing in their lives. This 5:1 ratio is key to encouraging kids to have a life-long relationship with Jesus. These adults could be anyone: family friends, teachers, pastors, youth group leaders, etc.

And beyond just Christian adults invested in your child’s life, it is important to surround yourself and your kids in believing community. Get involved with your church or other community of Christians. They say that raising a child takes a village. Make sure that the village helping you raise your children is one that cares about their relationship with Christ as much as you do.

Most Importantly, Pray

Prayer might seem like an obvious answer on ways to raise your children in Christ, but never underestimate the power of prayer. No matter how hard you try, your child’s heart and soul lie with the Holy Spirit. You will never be able to bring your kids to Jesus without His help. Pray with your community, with your spouse, and most importantly, pray with your child.

Be encouraged that when we pray, God is faithful to answer our prayers. No one cares about the heart of your child more than Him.

We know that you walk a careful balance when it comes to parenting your kids and teens through the 21st century.

Whether you are facing a tough conversation with your child and don’t have the words to begin, or you’re getting a jumpstart on the teenage years ahead, Axis is for you.

Join us as we parent together from elementary to high school and beyond.

Written in partnership with Reach The Lost.

4 Reasons Why You Should Have Parental Phone Controls

If you’re wrestling through the smartphone battle, you’re not alone. One third of children have a smartphone by age 11, and 91% will by age 14. If your kid doesn’t already have a smartphone, they’re probably begging you for one. And for understandable reasons. A smartphone can be a great tool and represents easy access to learning and connecting with friends.

But they also can be damaging and represent potential dangers to your kids and your family. Porn, bullying, advertising, and more all threaten our children’s safety, self-esteem, and health.

You may ask yourself “should I have parental phone controls?”

If your children have smartphones or you are considering giving your child a cell phone, consider the benefits of parental controls and setting limits on your kids’ devices.

Why Parental Phone Controls?

Using parental controls for your child’s smartphone is a tricky decision. Putting parental controls on your child’s phone may feel like an intrusion into their privacy. Your kids may feel as though you don’t trust them or you are spying on them.

But it is important to have conversations with your kids about the potential dangers of the internet and perhaps make this deal:

“When you get a smartphone, we get to teach you how to use it, so parental controls are mandatory.”

Here are 4 compelling reasons why parental controls on your child’s android devices or iPhone are beneficial and smart.

Prevent Bullying

Cyberbullying is a big problem, especially for middle school and high schoolers. Nearly 25% of kids reported instances of cyberbullying in 2021. This bullying happens via text messages, email, gaming chat apps and chat rooms, or through social media apps like SnapChat, Tik Tok, or Instagram. With phone monitoring, you can keep an eye on your kids and the things they are saying and the things their peers say to them.

Block Explicit Content

Did you know that the average age of a child’s first exposure to pornography is age 13? Kids are curious and hear lots of new and unfamiliar things at school, during after-school activities, or on the internet. You want your kids to come to you with those questions, and not the internet. With parental control apps, you can block explicit and adult content searches, apps, adult websites or other inappropriate content that your child may be searching for.

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Stop Predators

There are nearly 500,000 predators online each day that pose a threat to your kids. Kids between the ages of 12-15 (those most often new to owning smartphones) are most vulnerable to online predators. These predators use messaging apps, chat rooms, and even video games to get close to and groom vulnerable children. When you monitor your child’s phone, you can protect your children before they ever interact with someone dangerous. You can even monitor their location to protect them from danger.

Limit Screen Time

1 in 4 young people and children have an unhealthy relationship with their smartphone that could be damaging to their mental health. Excessive screen time has been linked to anxiety and depression. And in some cases, phone usage is so severe that it could qualify as an addiction. While research about the long-term effects of smartphone usage is still coming out, setting screen time and usage limits on your child’s phone protects their minds and hearts.

You can view our suggested phone monitoring apps for parents or you can learn some of the built-in parental controls for iPhones and iPads that protect your kids.

We know that you walk a careful balance when it comes to parenting your kids and teens through the 21st century.

Whether you are facing a tough conversation with your child and don’t have the words to begin, or you’re getting a jumpstart on the teenage years ahead, Axis is for you.

Join us as we parent together from elementary to high school and beyond.

Written in partnership with Reach The Lost.

6 iPhone Parental Controls You Need to Know About

Parenting is a tough job, made even harder by technology. It’s basically impossible to parent technology-free, but we want to protect our kids from porn, bullying, and more. You have to be doubly cautious about protecting your kids from the things that want to hurt them out in the world of the internet.

You need to know about these 6 tricks that can protect your child while they use their iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.

iPhone Parental Controls Overview

There are lots of great apps out there where you can manage and protect your child’s phone usage. But if your family uses iPhones, there are some built-in iPhone parental controls that Apple provides you can take the initiative in protecting your family. There are lots of features that aren’t all mentioned in the article, but you can learn how to to put parental controls on your IOS device with Apple’s guide.

Prevent Explicit Content and Content Ratings

If your kids use Apple Music or another Apple specific media app, you can manage the ratings of the media they consume. You can prevent the playback of music with explicit content and movies or TV shows with specific ratings. Apps on the app store also have ratings that you can configure using content restrictions.

Screen Time Restrictions

You can set up screen time limits for your child’s iPhone. You can set up time restrictions on certain apps and content. When you set up screen time on your child’s device, you can also add age restrictions in your control settings for content in books, movies, music, and tv shows.

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Restrict Game Center

Games are some of the most popular and frequently downloaded apps for young people. The Apple Game Center allows your kids to play games with other users. You can customize how and when your kids use the multiplayer functions. You can make sure they only play with approved contacts. You can also protect your kids from private messaging within game apps.

Prevent iTunes and Appstore Purchases

With this built-in feature, you can protect your kids from downloading any unauthorized or potentially harmful apps or in-app purchases. You can prevent the download of certain social media apps also. If you have a monitoring app on your child’s iPhone, you can also prevent them from deleting it (or other desired apps) with this feature.

Allow Built-In Apps and Features

You can hide the built-in apps on your device, such as the mail app or the text messages app. You can’t delete apps that are built into the system, but you can hide them from the home screen so your kids can’t use them.

Restrict Siri Web Searches

Siri is a powerful tool, but one that can give your children unlimited access to verbal web searches if not controlled. When you set up Siri, you can restrict it from making web searches with explicit content. You can also prevent Siri from searching the web at all if that’s what you need. There are several ways to set content restrictions on Safari as well.

We know that you walk a careful balance when it comes to parenting your kids and teens through the 21st century.

Whether you are facing a tough conversation with your child and don’t have the words to begin, or you’re getting a jumpstart on the teenage years ahead, Axis is for you.

Join us as we parent together from elementary to high school and beyond.

Written in partnership with Reach The Lost.

5 Best Phone Monitoring Apps for Your Kid's Devices

Parenting is a tough job, made even harder by technology. It’s basically impossible to parent technology-free in the 21st century. You have to be doubly cautious about protecting your kids from the things that want to hurt them out in the world of the internet.

These are the best phone monitoring apps for kids that help you stay aware of the things your kids are doing and protect them from potential dangers on the internet. Get peace of mind with these parental control softwares.

Net Nanny

Best for All Your Devices

Net Nanny is a family monitoring system that is compatible with all of your family’s devices. You can monitor your kid’s Mac products, Android phones, and PC computers. You can monitor the apps and websites your children navigate to, block dangerous content, and set screen time limits with this tool.

They also allow you to monitor a large number of devices through one subscription, making this a great option for a large family with lots of devices.

Boomerang

Great for Screen-Time Management

Boomerang is a parental monitoring app for your kid’s devices. Their mobile phone monitoring apps allow you to monitor text messages and calls, as well as app usage. There is also social media monitoring built into this app. You can set time limits and “bed times” for you children’s phones as well.

Additionally, Boomerang knows that your kids will still be using their devices, so you can set a list of encouraged apps (reading apps, educational, etc.) that won’t use up their time limits.

Locategy

For Great Physical Tracking

Kids have their devices on them at all times. If you want to keep your child safe and know where they are, Locategy is a great app for location tracking. With the Locategy app, you get real time knowledge of where your kids are, and can also receive location reports and updates.

With Locategy, you’ll also get a usage report of how your child has been using their phone over the last couple of days.

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Bark

Protect from Bullying and Pornography

Bark wants to help you protect your kids with their monitoring apps (and their new kid-specific smart phone). The Bark app allows you to monitor your child’s apps and content, manage screen time, filter websites, and get location alerts. You will also receive alerts for potential dangerous content, like self-harm, bullying, and sexual content.

Bark also is releasing a new child friendly smartphone for those families that want more privacy and protection.

Kroha

Best for Families on a Budget

The Kroha Parental Control app comes with a host of features to help protect your children. Features include seeing internet history, YouTube history, blocking certain apps, getting updates of online activities, viewing your children’s photos, and getting app stats.

With Kroha, you’ll also receive a real time news feed of all the actions your kid’s phone has taken.

We know that you walk a careful balance when it comes to parenting your kids and teens through the 21st century.

Whether you are facing a tough conversation with your child and don’t have the words to begin, or you’re getting a jumpstart on the teenage years ahead, Axis is for you.

Join us as we parent together from elementary to high school and beyond.

Written in partnership with Reach The Lost.

7 Top Parenting Podcasts for Christians

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Parenting is a tough job, and we need a guide to raise our kids well. For Christian parents, we have an additional responsibility according to scripture. While the Bible is our first resource for how to live and parent, it can help to hear wisdom from other believers. These podcasts are easy listening for sympathy, guidance, and encouragement when it comes to being a parent.

The Axis Podcast Network

The Axis Podcast Network is your one stop shop for podcasts on a variety of topics for parenting in the 21st century. We have 3 cultural podcasts to help you learn about all that slang your kids throw around (what does “sus” even mean??), and interviews with experts on how to have deeper conversations with your kids.

Each week, our team researches culture to help you stay up to date on the music, movies, TV shows, and social media trends impacting your kid’s world.

We’ve created an audio version of our weekly Culture Translator resource so you can listen on the go.

Go deeper behind the scenes with the producers of your favorite resource as we discuss the top three topics outlined in the weekly Culture Translator.

This conversational podcast will align cultural relevance with Biblical truth in a roundtable discussion-style format.

Ever wonder what it takes to be a One Conversation Parent?

Dive in with the Axis team as we share interviews with the experts that will help take your conversations with your kids to the next level.

This podcast will provide fuel for your parenting journey as we tackle the toughest topics facing you and your kids.

Courageous Parenting

Pardon the Mess with Cynthia Yanof

We know that parenting isn’t always glamorous or pretty. In fact, it can be pretty messy (literally!). Each week Cynthia Yanof has honest conversations with her guests about raising our kids in biblical truth in a fast-changing world. It’s funny, it’s relatable, it’s honest, and it’s going to keep you coming back for more.

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Focus on Parenting

Focus on the Family has been encouraging and supporting parents for generations and their parenting podcast is designed for parents with kids of all ages. Whether you have a toddler, tween, teenager, or adult children, you will find something encouraging in this podcast. Their parenting experts tackle difficult topics for parents of all kinds.

Let's Parent On Purpose

You want to be the best parent you can be, and Jay Holland, a parent and family pastor, wants to encourage you to be just that. He believes in intentional parenting, and his podcast covers topics to help you be a more intentional parent. Each week you can expect a drive-time or exercise-time podcast that will strengthen your parenting, marriage, or spiritual life.

Written in partnership with Reach The Lost.

7 Top Books on Parenting Teens for Christians

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Parenting teens is a tough job, and we need a guide to raise our kids well. For Christian parents, we have an additional responsibility to parent according to scripture. While the Bible is our first resource for how to live and parent, it can help to hear wisdom from other believers.

Parenting teens is a tough job, and we need a guide to raise our kids well. For Christian parents, we have an additional responsibility to parent according to scripture. While the Bible is our first resource for how to live and parent, it can help to hear wisdom from other believers.

14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family

If you are a busy parent (carpooling, sports, school, playdates, work), it can be easy to lose sight of our ultimate purpose as parents.

In this vision-centered book, Paul Tripp offers parents more than just a parental to-do list. He presents us with a bird’s eye view of God’s plan for us as parents. This book is founded on the Gospel and gives parents the vision to parent their children for Christ.

Parenting Teens with Love and Logic: Preparing Adolescents for Responsible Adulthood

You want your teens to be prepared for the adult world but do you have the tools to prepare them? This teen-specific resource empowers parents to raise responsible tweens, teens, and young adults without anger, nagging, or power struggles. Learn to set healthy boundaries, encourage important skills, and foster effective decision-making with empathy and grace.

A Parent’s Guide to Teen FOMO

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Love Her Well: 10 Ways to Find Joy and Connection with Your Teenage Daughter

How many times have you heard how difficult it is to raise teen daughters? Love Her Well isn’t a guide to help mothers “fix” their daughters or make them behave. It’s about a mother’s experience doing the heart-work necessary to love a teenager while still being a steady, supportive parent. The book offers wisdom to mothers on listening and empathizing with their teen’s world, and seeing the good, and loving their daughter for who she is.

Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms

They say that you have to repeat something seven times for it to stick as a habit. Daily habits are powerful ways to shape the heart and you want to parent with purpose, but do you know how to start?

Justin Whitmel Earley knows the tension between how you desire to parent and what your daily life actually looks like. In Habits of the Household, Earley gives you the tools you need to create structure–from mealtimes to bedtimes–that free you to parent toddlers, kids, and teens with purpose.

Family Discipleship: Leading Your Home through Time, Moments, and Milestones

We know that discipleship is a key part of parenthood, but what does that practically look like? Family Discipleship offers you sustainable rhythms of gospel-centered discipleship focused in three key areas: time, moments, and milestones. Chandler and Griffin give you suggestions, Scriptures, and activities to help you disciple your family into more Christ-like and God-fearing people.

Engaging Your Teen's World: Understanding What Today's Youth Are Thinking, Doing, and Watching

If you have heard your teen say things like “sus” or “netflix and chill” or “it’s the [fill in the blank] for me” and scratched your head in confusion, you are not alone. The linguistic landscape of teenagers is ever changing and difficult to navigate, and sometimes requires a guide. Engaging Your Teen’s World is a cultural translator to help you decipher the codes and unlock the doors to an ongoing conversation about faith and life with your teenager.

Written in partnership with Reach The Lost.

Cofounder David Eaton steps into role of chief visionary for Axis as new CEO

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – David Eaton, one of the founders of Axis 16 years ago, has been appointed the ministry’s new CEO. He transitions from the role of president to take over casting and carrying out the vision of the organization that has helped nearly 1 million families guide their children through the challenges of pop culture to develop and grow their relationship with Jesus Christ.

“I’m so excited about the future of Axis. Every day our team wakes up and thinks about the parents and the tweens and teens in their families and in their care,” he said. “We research, we pray, we curate, we debate and we make resources just for those parents so they can have ‘one conversation’ with their kids -- one conversation that is ongoing, continuous and unending.”

Axis resources for parents include parenting guides, conversation kits and its Culture Translator, a weekly tool that translates pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

“Each week, our team researches culture to help parents stay up to date on the music, movies, TV shows and social media trends impacting their kids’ world,” Eaton explained. “I want parents to know one simple truth: We believe in you. You have what it takes to influence, mentor and disciple GenZ.

“Axis is in your corner as your ‘research assistant’ to help you be confident, ready and ahead.”

Timothy Jenkins, president of the Axis board, said he and his fellow directors are “inspired by David’s vision to exponentially expand Axis’ reach and impact.”

“David has been the face of Axis for years and has tirelessly built relationships that have enabled our growth,” Jenkins said. “More importantly, David is passionate about connecting parents and their teen and pre-teen children through conversation.”

In a corresponding move for the ministry, veteran staffer Toben Heim has assumed the position of Axis’ chief operating officer.

“I will focus on the day-to-day operations of Axis,” he said, “with a particular eye towards culture as we seek to make Axis a great place to work with a team that can accomplish great things, helping parents and kids connect on difficult issues with an eye towards the Gospel.”

Eaton said one thing that won’t change for Axis, though, is its commitment to giving parents and mentors hope by being their guide through culture into conversation around Jesus.

“The empirical evidence is clear,” he noted. “No one is as influential as moms and dads in the life of kids. No church, school, camp, app, coach, college, pastor, teacher etc. All of these institutions and people are awesome, but their influence pales into virtual insignificance compared to parents.

“As we move into the next era at Axis, we want more parents to belong to our community and to experience Gospel transformation in their families.”

Christian Parenting Organizations

Books and Podcasts

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Other Parenting Resources

Parenting is a whole life endeavor

You don’t parent alone

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Aim for holy character, not good behavior

Discipline is about consequences and change, not punishment

Your parenting fruit comes from your identity in Christ

We know that you walk a careful balance when it comes to parenting your kids and teens through the 21st century.

Whether you are facing a tough conversation with your child and don’t have the words to begin, or you’re getting a jumpstart on the teenage years ahead, Axis is for you.

Join us as we parent together from elementary to high school and beyond.

Teach Your Kids the Gospel

Encourage Ongoing Conversations

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Demonstrate Your Own Faith

Immerse them in Believing Community

Most Importantly, Pray

We know that you walk a careful balance when it comes to parenting your kids and teens through the 21st century.

Whether you are facing a tough conversation with your child and don’t have the words to begin, or you’re getting a jumpstart on the teenage years ahead, Axis is for you.

Join us as we parent together from elementary to high school and beyond.

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Here are 4 compelling reasons why parental controls on your child’s android devices or iPhone are beneficial and smart.

Prevent Bullying

Block Explicit Content

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Stop Predators

Limit Screen Time

iPhone Parental Controls Overview

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

The Axis Podcast Network

Courageous Parenting

Pardon the Mess with Cynthia Yanof

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Focus on Parenting

Let's Parent On Purpose

14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family

Parenting Teens with Love and Logic: Preparing Adolescents for Responsible Adulthood

A Parent’s Guide to Teen FOMO

The Culture Translator

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Translating pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers.

Love Her Well: 10 Ways to Find Joy and Connection with Your Teenage Daughter

Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms

Family Discipleship: Leading Your Home through Time, Moments, and Milestones

Engaging Your Teen's World: Understanding What Today's Youth Are Thinking, Doing, and Watching

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