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Helping families to build on secure foundations
If we want to build anything to last, it helps to build on secure foundations.
“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:25
Our research has shown that a key element in building a lasting faith in children is the secure foundation of creating a warm, affirming home where children feel safe, loved and accepted.
But we also recognise that as much as parents may want to create that secure foundation at home, sometimes circumstances can make it challenging to do so.
We know that life isn’t always full of sunshine, but at times feels more like a torrential downpour. And for that reason, there probably isn’t a parent or carer on the planet who wouldn’t welcome practical support and encouragement as they navigate the parenting journey.
They may need practical strategies and tools to help them parent their children, or they may need encouragement and prayer for their own faith journey.
As church leaders, we're in a prime position to help parents lay secure foundations in their homes.
So this month we wanted to look at ways we can let parents know they are not on their own and to provide them with tools to empower them - whatever the weather!
That might be through running a parenting course, meeting them for a coffee and a chat, or helping to arrange babysitting so that they can attend a small group for encouragement and accountability.
We pray the resources and ideas we’ve included will help you to strengthen the families in your churches. Then whatever season they find themselves in, they’ll have firm and secure foundations on which faith can be built.
Blessings
Claire and the Kitchen Table Project team
Parenting course
Why not run a parenting course for the parents in your congregation?
Our courses are here to support parents to build solid and secure relationships with their children, whatever their ages.
Check out Parentalk – ready-to-run six session courses, which give parents the opportunity to talk about the day-to-day challenges, as well as learn how to thrive and not just survive. Or maybe find out more about how some of your staff or volunteers can train as licensed facilitators to run our Positive Parenting courses.
Find out what one church have said about running our Positive Parenting courses in our newest case study.
Brand new book
Raising Faith: Helping our children find a faith that lasts is now available!
Katharine Hill and Andy Frost give honest and practical advice to guide us on the journey of helping our children connect with God.
Just £4.99 – get your copy now
Special Offer: get 20 copies for just £50 and start the parents in your congregation on this journey!
Additional needs support
Some families face extra challenges at home. It can be hard to know how to start supporting them.
Care for the Family offers telephone befriending support for parents of children with additional needs. All our befrienders are parents of children with additional needs, and families seeking support are matched with a befriender whose experiences most closely resembles theirs. Befrienders offer emotional support, encouragement and hope and can really make a difference for parents.
We would love to hear about the different ways churches are encouraging parents in this journey so that we can share these ideas with other churches. If you would like to share your ideas please contact us.
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Twitter: @ktpcampaign
Website: kitchentable.org.uk
