It Takes A Village

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 Social Delimma on Netflix
A Parent's Guide to Understanding Social Media: Helping Your Teenager Navigate Life Online

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 updated copy is titled
  • Every Parent's Guide to Navigating our Digital World by Kara Powell

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 use of website

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 when there is something going on with your child it may be beneficial to let their teacher/coach know without being specific on the details.

Seek mentors for your children. Gather all the events you child is doing during the semester, year, etc. and give to their mentor and encourage them to come to some of the events. PS. This will also help you be focused on the events that your child is participating in also!

Resources:
Sticky Faith by Dr. Kara Powell & Dr. Chap Clark
youth.gov
Parenting Beyond Your Capacity: Connect Your Family to a Wider Community by Reggie Joiner & Carey Nieuwhof

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