Your July Resources Are Here!
If there’s one thing that we all know as ministry leaders and parents, it’s the fact that our kids and teens are growing up in a world that is VERY different from the world that any of us grew up in. The struggles of life are not only different, but they are also hitting them earlier, faster, from more angles, and with greater intensity. Whether it’s friends, social media, the constant barrage of sensational news from around the world, global catastrophes, mental health crises, the pressure of getting good grades, fitting in, the pressure to perform, or emotional/financial stress at home, there is plenty to navigate, no matter their age. As our children and teenagers try to wrap their young minds around these struggles and attempt to formulate their emotional responses to them, they often get bogged down or confused concerning how to process or deal with their own thoughts and emotions. Much of this struggle is leading them to feel a sense of anxiety around…well, a lot of things in their life. The stress and anxiety they feel often can lead them to very unhealthy places mentally and emotionally. These struggles play into their spiritual life, and that’s why we, as adults, have to pay attention, lean into what is happening to our kids and teens, and respond in ways that are healthy and helpful.
This month, your team at M2P is providing you with resources that are aimed at helping parents gain a better understanding of what their kids and teens are going through and equipping them with some practical tools to help their families along the way.
Don’t forget to check out the Blog Articles and Coaching Video designed for you and your adult volunteers, the Online Parenting Class Video and Toolbox Item entitled 10 Ideas To Help Your Kids/Teens Navigate & Cope With Anxiety created for parents, and the latest episode of the M2P Podcast with special guest and author of The Anxious Teen, Brock Morgan. These resources are designed to give parents some insight and encouragement as they seek to lean in and lead their kids and teenagers away from an anxious life and hopefully guide them to a life of peace.
Remember that we are here to serve you and to help you serve parents, so let us know if there is ever anything we can do for you or your ministry.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
The M2P Team
WHAT IS IT?
This month’s Toolbox Resource targets an issue that so many families are dealing with on a regular basis. Anxiety among our kids and teens is escalating at an unprecedented rate. Everyone who cares about their own child or young people, in general, is concerned about the staggering rise in childhood and teenage anxiety. Parents are often especially at a loss when it comes to knowing where to begin with helping their kids and teens navigate these dicey waters. 10 Ideas To Help Your Kids/Teens Navigate & Cope With Anxiety will provide parents with some practical steps to take as they seek to wade in, lean in, and begin to guide their children and teenagers in a healthy direction.
HOW TO USE IT
- Download the 10 Ideas To Help Your Kids/Teens Navigate & Cope With Anxiety resource and post it on your website or email parents a copy of the resources.
- Encourage parents to take some time to review it and use one or more of these ideas with their kids and teens.
- Print copies of the resources for parents to grab at church and let them know where they can pick it up.
This month’s coaching videos were created to help us, as ministry leaders and volunteers, make sure that we stay aware of what is happening when it comes to kids, teenagers, parents, and anxiety. As ministry leaders and volunteers, it may seem overwhelming and like you don’t know where to begin, but in reality, there are lots of things that we can do to help support families if we pay attention to the struggles they are facing. It’s sometimes easy to get sucked into the vortex of our weekly events, programming, and other responsibilities, but the real ministry happens when we take the time to help people where they are hurting and in need. And we all know that anxiety is leading kids, teens, and parents into a world of confusion, doubt, and hurt. Take some time to watch the videos and pray through how you can practically help the kids, teenagers, and parents in your care deal with the anxiety they feel.
As kids and teenagers today are struggling with anxiety at an alarming and unprecedented rate, parents often are at a loss for what to do or how to help. Some parents respond by defaulting to engaging their kids and teenagers with old-school methods that were used on them. Some parents respond by sticking their heads in the sand, hoping that if they can somehow simply ignore what is happening in their child, the storm will soon pass, and things will go back to normal. Some parents respond by becoming anxious themselves or by throwing up their hands from being overwhelmed or exhausted. None of these is a great, healthy, or helpful response. That is why this month’s Online Parenting Classes were designed to encourage parents to lean in, keep their heads out of the sand, and not give up, but instead stay in the fight when it comes to helping their kids and teenagers navigate their anxiety. Anxiety in kids and teens doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon, and we, as ministry leaders, have a unique opportunity to help lead, encourage, and equip parents as they seek to help their kids and teens navigate anxiety.
New blog posts coming this month:
- For Kids’ Ministry Leaders: “Childhood Anxiety: Practical Ways to Support Families” by Amy Diller
- For Kids’ Ministry Parents: “Hope for the Anxious Child: Parenting with Empathy and Wisdom” by Amy Diller
- For Youth Ministry Leaders: “Leading Families Away from Anxiety” by Karin Sasser
- For Youth Ministry Parents: “Promoting Peace in the Lives of Our Teens” by Karin Sasser
To view, click HERE