Parents

Parenting is tough and we totally get it!

That’s why we want to give you some tools and encouragement for the fun, fulfilling, and occasionally frustrating journey of parenting. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting, we want to partner with you so that you’re ready to face the chaos with confidence.

We love teaming up with parents to help guide their kids on their spiritual journey through our Kidz and Youth programs, family events, and by offering free resources, guidance, and support. Our goal is to give you the tools to raise kids who love Jesus and are ready for whatever life throws at them, emotionally, socially, and theologically.

Looking for more information?

Contact our NextGen Pastor, Vanessa Celotto

FREE Parent Resources

Thrive Resource Center

The Resource Center is a free library full of books, DVDs, and games that will help you and your family grow closer together and to God. It’s located by Thrive Kidz and you’re welcome to borrow anything for as long as you need. Someone will be available on Sunday mornings to help you through the check out and return process.

Common Sense Media

Ever wish you could learn about a movie, TV show, book, or game before your child engages with it? Common Sense Media is where you can go to get the lowdown on entertainment so you can be prepared to say “That’s fine” or “I don’t think so” the next time your kid asks to watch a movie on Netflix.
• Common Sense Media

Focus On The Family

Focus on the Family provides relevant information and advice on marriage, parenting, faith, entertainment, life challenges and social issues, all from a Christian perspective.
• Focus On The Family

Bible App for Kids

The Bible App for Kids helps kids explore the big stories of the Bible through interactive adventures and beautiful animations.
• Bible App for Kids

Teen Culture Translator

Created to demystify teen culture, The Culture Translator provides insight into the often confusing and sometimes scary world of teen culture. When you sign up for The Culture Translator, you’ll receive a weekly email updating you on what’s going on in the world that will affect teens. It’s topical, it’s free, and it’s super insightful!
• Teen Culture Translator

Prayer Calendar

This 30-Day Prayer Calendar was created as a tool to help parents pray daily for their family. Each day consists of a prayer prompt. While there are “weekly” themes, if you miss days in between, that’s okay! You can simply pick up where you left off. Use it once for 30 days or use it to create a cycle of 30 days that you repeat over and over as you continue to pray for your family throughout the year.
• Prayer Calendar

31 Days of Making It Personal

Any time is a good time to make a personal restart. Working on becoming the best YOU is the best way to love and lead those around you. That’s why for 31 days, we’re providing parents with something to think about or pray to help you prioritize your spiritual, mental, and physical health.
• 31 Days of Making It Personal

21 Questions

Don’t we all want to have more meaningful conversations with our kids? Whether it’s in the car, in the backyard, or at the dinner table, these question prompts are guaranteed to spark lively conversation in your family.
• Preschool Questions
• Elementary Questions
• Middle School Questions
• High School Questions

Encouragement Cards

We know how much it can mean to the kids and even teenagers in your life when you write a note of encouragement to them. Especially for no reason! To be used in lunch boxes, backpacks, or just to leave around their room, these downloadable encouragement cards are a great way to remind the kids and students in your life that they are loved. Click below to download and print.
• Encouragement Cards

Family Discovery Pack

Have you ever taken the time to discover what’s unique and special about your family? Whether you have or haven’t, your family is growing and changing, so discovering who you are is always a good idea. Sit down, take a look at your calendar, and choose some time for everyone to get together for some bonding, learning, and fun!
• Family Discovery Pack

Chores Kit

We all know how important it is to teach your kids and students responsibility, but mowing the lawn unsupervised may not be the best idea for a 3-year-old. With that in mind, we’ve included a Phase-specific list of age-appropriate chores. We’ve also included a chore chart for you to download and print to use at home.
• Phase-Specific Work List
• Chore Chart

Faith Conversation Guide

A discussion about faith looks different at every phase. It can be talking with a preschooler about Jesus being God’s Son or with a student who is having doubts for the first time. We wanted to make these Phase-specific Conversation Guides available to you so when the need arises, you’ll be ready to talk to your child about faith. Click the corresponding links below to access them.
• Preschool Faith Guide
• Elementary Faith Guide
• Middle School Faith Guide
• High School Faith Guide

Technology Conversation Guide

Technology is on an ever-increasing rise, and it’s becoming a greater presence in the lives of children and students. Don’t miss the opportunity to talk with your kids and students, get on the same page, and LEARN from each other so you can better parent on this focus topic! Click the corresponding links below to access them.
• Preschool Technology Guide
• Elementary Technology Guide
• Middle School Technology Guide
• High School Technology Guide

Sexual Integrity Conversation Guide

Are we really going to talk about this? If you want your kids to grow up with sexual integrity, then the answer is – YES! But we’re not talking baseballs and butterflies here. No, this talk is a bit harder. That’s why we want you to have these helpful conversation guides for you so you can LEARN what to say (and what not to say) to your kid at each phase along the way.
• Preschool Integrity Guide
• Elementary Integrity Guide
• Middle School Integrity Guide
• High School Integrity Guide

Anxiety Conversation Guide

We recognize that helping a child or teen with anxiety is a challenge. Download the age-appropriate resource with tips and practical ways you can help.
• Preschool Anxiety Guide
• Elementary Anxiety Guide
• Middle School Anxiety Guide
• High School Anxiety Guide

Bullying Conversation Guide

No one wants bullying to be a part of the school experience, but it happens. We want to help you navigate this difficult situation with the Bullying Conversation Guide.
• Bullying Conversation Guide

Health Conversation Guide

There are key conversations that are important for parents to have with their child during the different phases. One of those conversations is building healthy habits. Equip yourself to start or continue the conversation with this Health Conversation Guide.
• Preschool Health Guide
• Elementary Health Guide
• Middle School Health Guide
• High School Health Guide

Drugs & Alcohol Conversation Guide

It’s the conversation no parent wants to have, but they have to have it at some point—either before or after. Sure, the schools talk about it a lot. And there are occasional ads about it on TV and social media, but at some point, your kids need to hear you talk about drugs and alcohol. Equip yourself to know what to say and how to say it with this Conversation Guide!
• Drugs & Alcohol Conversation Guide

Crisis Conversation Guide

Our world is filled with tragic events, and sometimes that tragedy hits close to home. Equip yourself to help your child navigate tough situations with these phase Crisis Conversation Guides.
• Preschool Crisis Guide
• Elementary Crisis Guide
• Middle School Crisis Guide
• High School Crisis Guide

Cell Phone Agreement

You’re about to take a big step with your kid. Sure they’ve been telling you for months that everyone has their own phone—so it shouldn’t be that big of a deal right? Only it is. Help your kids in their next big step toward becoming responsible with technology.
• Cell Phone Agreement