Parenting Features Copyright https://www.crosswalk.com 2026, Crosswalk.com Thu, 08 Jan 2026 03:23:29 -0500 https://www.crosswalk.com/featured-plus-pdfs/gods-design-for-family-a-7-day-study-in-genesis.html https://www.crosswalk.com/featured-plus-pdfs/gods-design-for-family-a-7-day-study-in-genesis.html Gina Smith and Leah Arthur https://www.crosswalk.com/author/gina-smith/ Family matters deeply to God. They were designed to reflect His heart, His character, and ultimately His plan of redemption. In this study, you’ll walk through the opening chapters of Genesis to rediscover God’s original design for family, how sin disrupted it, and how grace continues to redeem it. Culture distorts the meaning of family, but God’s Word calls us back to a truer, better vision. Dive into Scripture and reflect using the prayers and application questions included at the end of each day. The goal of this study is to help you grasp God’s intended purpose for family and to view your own with renewed love. Download below and get started today!Related:15 Powerful Prayers for Protection of Your FamilyWhat Is God's Design for Marriage?Photo and PDF credit: ©SWN/CanvaProDesign Wed, 07 Jan 2026 19:47:46 -0500 2026-01-08T03:23:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/warning-signs-of-depression-in-children-and-adolescents.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/warning-signs-of-depression-in-children-and-adolescents.html Vivian Bricker https://www.crosswalk.com/author/vivian-bricker/ Often, children and adolescents’ symptoms of depression manifest in different ways than those of adults. This can cause many children and adolescents to go undiagnosed by medical professionals.I struggled with depression for almost a decade before I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Although I exhibited all the warning signs, my parents didn’t seek out the help I needed. Rather than ignoring the problem, it is important to recognize the warning signs in order to get the help your children and teens deserve. Your children and teens will appreciate the time, care, and intentional effort you put into helping them.If your child or teen has been showing obvious signs of depression, it is best to get them proper help. Taking your child or teen to the doctor and expressing any concerns can prevent them from developing clinical depression. Before you go, write down all their symptoms and any worrisome behaviors. This can help the doctor become more aware of what your child or teen might be experiencing.If you are unsure of the warning signs of depression in children and teens, here are a few:Photo credit: ©Getty Images/fizkes Tue, 06 Jan 2026 17:46:27 -0500 2026-01-08T03:23:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/reminders-for-when-being-a-stay-at-home-mom-feels-insignificant.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/reminders-for-when-being-a-stay-at-home-mom-feels-insignificant.html Ashleigh Slater https://www.crosswalk.com/author/ashleigh-slater/ When the woman in 7B asked about my travel plans, I didn’t expect the tears to come so quickly. But they did. “I’m flying home to Arizona after visiting my two young adult daughters at their college internship program,” I managed to respond.As our plane took off from Orlando, the sadness of saying goodbye to my girls suddenly mingled with newfound joy at who my daughters had become and with the satisfaction that I had played a part in it. And it hit me in a new, overwhelming way: all those years as a stay-at-home mom to them were worth it.Maybe you’re currently a full-time mom with a baby, young kid, tween, or a combination of those ages. My “it’s all worth it” moment may make sense to me now, as a mom of kids in their twenties, plus two teens at home (who do still demand much of my energy and time, just in different ways from when they were little). But what about moms like you who are still in the middle of the younger years—diaper changes, potty training, never-ending kitchen and toy cleanup, school pickups, or hands-on homeschooling?If I could make a Marty McFly visit to my younger stay-at-home-mom self, I don’t think hearing “it was all worth it” would have helped when I felt insignificant, or as Dictionary.com defines it, “of no consequence, influence, or distinction.” I didn’t want to hear that my time at home would pay off years later. I wanted to know why I mattered right now.So, if that’s you and you’re in the middle of it right now, here are three reminders for when being a stay-at-home mom feels insignificant.Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Fly View Productions Tue, 06 Jan 2026 12:32:34 -0500 2026-01-08T03:23:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/things-you-dont-realize-are-negatively-impacting-your-teens-body-image.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/things-you-dont-realize-are-negatively-impacting-your-teens-body-image.html Katie T. Kennedy https://www.crosswalk.com/author/katie-t-kennedy/ There are numerous factors that can impact your teen’s body image, some of which are positive and some negative. As parents, we try to do our best to ensure our children have a healthy view of their bodies.We are all made in God’s image, each unique and special. As a teenager, that can be tough to remember, especially when there are forces working against that truth.We will discuss some of these negative forces affecting your teens’ body image and how we can combat them. Teenagers are in a vulnerable season. They are undergoing significant changes and developments in their brain and bodies, and are influenced by numerous factors around them. Let’s discuss some of these factors.Photo credit: ©Pexels/Alex Green Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:56:41 -0500 2026-01-08T03:23:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/when-is-parenting-an-idol.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/when-is-parenting-an-idol.html Amanda Idleman https://www.crosswalk.com/author/amanda-idleman/ Discover the subtle ways parenthood can become an idol and how to surrender your children fully to God’s care. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 12:17:03 -0500 2026-01-08T03:23:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/23-christian-parenting-books-to-prepare-you-for-the-road-ahead.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/23-christian-parenting-books-to-prepare-you-for-the-road-ahead.html Carrie Lowrance https://www.crosswalk.com/author/carrie-lowrance/ You just found out you’re pregnant. Congratulations. This is an exciting and scary time in many people’s lives. Becoming a parent is not for the faint of heart. Kids are wild, crazy, loving creatures, and it’s normal to feel nervous or anxious when your child arrives. It’s easy to prepare by buying everything: the crib, bottles, pacifiers, cute bedding, etc.You know what you need for your child, but what about the actual parenting part? How do you do it well and in a way that aligns with God’s teachings on how to raise a child? Reading the Bible about how to do this is a great first step, but there are lots and lots of Christian parenting books to educate you and prepare you for the road ahead.Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Prostock-Studio Fri, 02 Jan 2026 12:23:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:23:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/how-to-discipline-with-grace-and-natural-consequences.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/how-to-discipline-with-grace-and-natural-consequences.html Keren Kanyago https://www.crosswalk.com/author/keren-kanyago/ Discover the biblical blueprint for effective parenting discipline, emphasizing training before correction and the power of discipleship. Learn how to balance firmness with grace, allowing natural consequences while ensuring your child always feels loved and secure. Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:30:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:23:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/taking-your-prayer-life-to-the-next-level-insights-for-christian-mothers.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/taking-your-prayer-life-to-the-next-level-insights-for-christian-mothers.html Emmanuel Abimbola https://www.crosswalk.com/author/emmanuel-abimbola/ ... sometimes, it's those stolen moments in the chaos that count. It's a chat with God while stirring the pasta or a quick thank-you note to heaven during a diaper change.  Thu, 01 Jan 2026 08:30:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:23:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/authoritative-vs-authoritarian-parenting-which-one-is-truly-biblical.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/authoritative-vs-authoritarian-parenting-which-one-is-truly-biblical.html Keren Kanyago https://www.crosswalk.com/author/keren-kanyago/ Discover the profound differences between authoritative and authoritarian parenting, exploring how each style impacts a child's development and relationship with their parents. Learn which approach aligns with biblical wisdom and fosters resilience, independence, and healthy self-esteem in children. Tue, 30 Dec 2025 08:30:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:23:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/ways-phones-produce-anxiety-and-lead-to-mom-guilt.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/ways-phones-produce-anxiety-and-lead-to-mom-guilt.html Jennifer Waddle https://www.crosswalk.com/author/jennifer-waddle/ The constant pressure to stay in the know causes many moms to be glued to their phones 24/7. However, this is one of the leading factors behind a rise in anxiety. Unfortunately, due to the bombardment of notifications and the temptation of aimlessly scrolling, moms often find their focus shifting away from their children, leading to a sense of mom guilt.If you're constantly on edge and unable to shake the feeling you should be more engaged with your kids, your phone might be the problem. Here are seven ways our phones produce anxiety and lead to mom guilt.Photo credit: ©GettyImages/vorDa Mon, 29 Dec 2025 08:41:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:23:29-05:00