You'll hear insights on balancing being protective while giving your kids independence, and why it's more important than ever for parents to be informed and engaged in the digital world.  Tune in for actionable advice to help set your kids up for success!

Resources:

• The Anxious Generation
• A Parent’s Guide to Smartphones 
• A Parent’s Guide to Social Media
• 5 Ways to Use Technology to Connect with your Teen

• John 5
• Book: Stay Here by Jacob Coyne
• Stay Here | Suicide Prevention Training
• Stay Here | Student Ambassadors
• Stay Here Website: stayhere.live
• The Hope Line - 24 Hour Free Live Chat
• Instagram - @stayhereorg 
• Axis resources:
  • A Parents Guide to Suicide - Self-Harm Prevention
  • How To Talk About Mental Health With Your Teen

We want to hear from you! Was there a topic on this episode that you were excited to hear more about? Comment below!

Looking for more resources on this topic? We’ve got you covered! Check out these incredible resources below:

• Anxious Generation
• A Parent’s Guide to Teens & Social Media (Axis Resource)
• A Parent’s Guide to Smart Phones
• A Parent’s Guide to Teen Suicide & Self-Harm Prevention
• Kids & Screen Time (Parent Cue)
• Setting and Keeping Technology Boundaries (Parent Cue)
• Screen Sanity

Parenting the next generation can sometimes feel like we have little aliens living in our homes. Their technology, knowledge, awareness, and sometimes even their questions can be very challenging to navigate. We could go as far as to say we have never, in history, had to navigate what our kids and students are facing today! Statistics show that anxiety in kids and students is at an all-time high. Many factors can contribute to these statistics.

In this episode of the LC Parents Podcast, Ally Evans interviews our special guest Vince Parker about all things Gen Z and Gen Alpha. They explore new ways to engage kids and students, how to navigate difficult questions, and how to better bridge the gaps between our generation and theirs.

Want to go deeper? Check out these resources that were mentioned on this podcast and more!

• Family ID
• Axis Resources

Join us as we uncover in-depth conversations about our curriculum, heartwarming stories, and share the inspiring moments that make LifeKids and Switch an integral part of our church family. Together, let's celebrate the journey of faith and family as we navigate the joys and challenges of raising a generation rooted in love, purpose, and a deep connection with their Creator.

In this podcast, Ally Evans and Dr. Tim Elmore share different stories of young people doing amazing things that have influenced many people even to this day. You can find Dr. Elmore’s new book, I Can’t Wait, on Amazon! 

Just in time to head back to school, pastors Ally Evans and Will Hutcherson are discussing a topic that is heavy on many hearts right now: anxiety. Anxiety is a normal human response to stress, but sometimes it takes more control over us than we would like. 

In this episode, Will walks us through common lies anxiety tells us and equips us as parents to combat these lies. Will and Dr. Chinwe Williams' brand new book, Beyond the Spiral,  is written both for students and parents. This resource is designed to help students break free of the stronghold of anxiety with Biblical principles and practical action steps. You'll definitely want to tune in for this one!

1. As you listen, be sure to check out the episode discussion guide. These guides are created specifically for parents to go through with other parents, because no one should navigate anxiety alone. Grab a friend or dig into this content with your LifeGroup this week!
2. You might recognize Will's name from LC Parents Episode #14, How to Help your Kids Emotionally Exhale.
3. Invite others in. Will's YouVersion Bible Plan, Seen  is a great way to connect with others and learn how we can support our students together.

This month, Ally Evans and Tracy Foster are talking about how to do something that has never been done before—raise a generation of digital natives. You don't want to miss this conversation on setting the stage for the use of technology, the effects of video games on our kids' brains, and how to connect with our kids over what they are passionate about. What if video games are not the enemy and instead, an opportunity to build empathy and develop intentionally?

1. Don’t do this alone. We are meant to be in community. Start or join a LifeGroup and work through the discussion guide today, because we need one other to raise digital natives! Check out existing LifeGroups at go2.lc/lifegroups

2. Invite a few friends to go through the Bible Plan, Showing Empathy on YouVersion. The first step to helping our kids regulate themselves is to empathize with them right where they are.

3. Discover all the amazing resources available for your family and LifeGroup at westartnow.org

4. Consider using the Video Game Decision Tree to help create clarity around gaming at home!

Time to tap into the ever-elusive minds of teenagers! On this episode, Next Generation Research Specialist, Kara Powell, chats with Ally Evans about the three biggest questions that our teenagers—and really all of us—are asking. They discuss where our kids are looking for answers and how we can help them process in light of the truth found in Jesus. 

1. Don’t do this alone. We are meant to be in community. Start or join a LifeGroup and work through the discussion guide today, because we need each other! Check out existing LifeGroups at go2.lc/lifegroups.

2. Invite a few friends to go through the Bible Plan, Showing Empathy, on YouVersion. The first step to helping our kids process these questions is fully empathizing with why they are asking.

3. Pick up a copy of Kara’s book, Three Big Questions that Change Every Teenager, today!

4. LC Parents is on Spotify! If this month’s episode was helpful to you, share it with friends today!