Resources for Families
Families today are navigating stress, emotional overwhelm, communication challenges, and daily friction that quietly shape home life. These resources are here to support you with clarity, encouragement, and practical tools as you explore what your family may need. Everything on this page is public, free, and designed to help you grow in connection, confidence, and calm — whether you’re just beginning to seek support or simply looking for guidance rooted in Christian values.
Recommended Books
Not a reader? Not a problem. Most books are now available in audio format, making it easy to enjoy reading or listening in a way that fits your life. While I’ve included links to purchase books, the library is also a wonderful way to explore books for all ages at no cost. It can be a great way to spend quiet time alone or with your family at bedtime, or even while enjoying peaceful moments outside in nature. Learning together can be fun, meaningful, and a simple way to strengthen connection in your home.
If these titles don’t resonate with you, feel free to explore others. The goal is simply to find books that speak to you and support your family’s growth.
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The Purpose Driven Life — Rick Warren A faith‑centered book that helps parents clarify purpose, strengthen spiritual grounding, and lead their families with intention.
It’s Never Too Late To Be A Great Parent by Catherine Hickam The strategies that once guided parents through toddlerhood and the teenage years are irrelevant when children reach adulthood. Across the country, many parents find themselves unsure how to stay connected, how to support without overstepping, and how to maintain closeness as roles and expectations shift.
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids by Dr. Laura Markham This remarkable guide will help parents better understand their own emotions—and get them in check—so they can parent with healthy limits, empathy, and clear communication to raise a self-disciplined child. Step-by-step examples give solutions and kid-tested phrasing for parents of toddlers right through the elementary years.
The Parenting Handbook by Tammy Schamuhn and Tania Johnson Being a parent can feel overwhelming and exhausting. So much of the prevailing advice on raising children leaves parents feeling conflicted and confused rather than confident that what they’re doing is best for their children.
The Temperment God Gave Your Kids by Art and Laraine Bennett this book provides an accessible synthesis of classical wisdom, modern counseling, science, Catholic spirituality, and wonderful storytelling to the four basic temperaments that serve as the foundation of one's personality and approach to life. This is the authors third book on the topic of temperaments, sharing not only their professional expertise but also their personal life experiences. They have been married for thirty-four years and have four children one each of the four temperament types!
Mere Christianity — C.S. Lewis Recognized as one of the most important Christian books of the twentieth century, Mere Christianity brings together Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War II, in which he explored the core beliefs of Christianity—timeless topics that continue to engage us—right and wrong, human nature, morality, marriage, sin, forgiveness, faith, hope, generosity, and kindness.
The Grace of God — Andy Stanley A clear and accessible look at God’s grace that helps parents respond to their children with compassion, patience, and Christ‑centered understanding.
Done — Corey Schmidt A simple, gospel‑centered book that helps parents anchor their family’s faith in the finished work of Chist.
The Whole Brain Child by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson Complete with age-appropriate strategies for dealing with day-to-day struggles and illustrations that will help you explain these concepts to your child, The Whole-Brain Child shows you how to cultivate healthy emotional and intellectual development so that your children can lead balanced, meaningful, and connected lives.
Woven by Meredith Miller In this inspiring parenting book, learn how to create space for your children to get to know God in a way that focuses on trust instead of a list of rigid rules.
Raising Kids to Follow Christ by Lee Ann Mancini This book goes beyond surface-level advice, delving into the intricate matters of children’s hearts and minds and offering a blueprint for nurturing a deep and unwavering faith in Christ.
Keeping Your Kids on God’s Side by Natasha Crain It's no secret that children of all ages are being exposed to negative criticism of Christianity as they spend time at school, with friends, or online. Are you prepared to talk with your kids about how they can effectively answer the tough questions that come their way?
Raising Securely Attached Kids by Eli Harwood Raising Securely Attached Kids is a practical parenting book that translates attachment science into accessible strategies for raising emotionally healthy children. Licensed therapist and attachment expert Eli Harwood shows parents and caregivers how connection-focused parenting can strengthen relationships, encourage open communication, and help children develop empathy, confidence, resilience, and the ability to form healthy relationships.
The Flourishing Family by David Erikson We pray for peace when our little ones are tossed about by waves of emotions, for connection and confidence when navigating stressful mornings and exhausting nights, and for wisdom in knowing how best to discipline our kids. As Christian parents, we’re desperate to “get it right,” to raise our children to be strong, courageous followers of Jesus―and yet, despite the overload of endless advice at our fingertips, we often feel completely and utterly lost.
10 Christian Values Every Kid Should Know — Donna J. Habenicht A practical guide that helps parents teach core Christian values through everyday moments and meaningful conversations.
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How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen by Joanne Faber & Julie King A must-have resource for anyone who lives or works with young kids, with an introduction by Adele Faber, coauthor of How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, the international mega-bestseller The Boston Globe dubbed “The Parenting Bible.”
God Gave Us Family by Lisa Tawn Bergren Little Pup’s wolf family is on their way to a special reunion—with lots of cousins, games, roasting marshmallows, and fun! As the young wolf thinks about different kinds of families, it’s the perfect opportunity for Mama and Papa to teach their inquisitive child about the families that God brings together. Some families are big and others are small, some are led by grandparents or just one parent, and some families include adopted little ones– yet each family is truly special.
God Made All Your Feelings by Amanda Flinn We all have lots and lots of feelings. For young children, feelings can be overwhelming and difficult to manage. This sweet picture book explores the wide variety of emotions kids experience--happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and others--and gently reassures them that it is okay to feel these feelings and that God is with us through all the ups and downs. The book affirms young children with the message that all our emotions help us grow and that no matter how we are feeling, God loves us.
When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner Through playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantastical illustrations, When God Made You inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin to create for themselves.
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A Case For Christ: Devotions for Kids by Lee Strobel The tough questions kids 8-12 ask about faith, Jesus, and Christianity are investigated and answered in this 365-day devotional that uses the historical facts and theological truths found in The Case for Christ to help young readers develop their faith and understand what it means to be a Christian. Each day's reading also includes reflection questions, helping kids think through what their faith personally means to them.
What Would Jesus Do? by Lucy Rycroft Anchored in the life and teachings of Jesus, What Would Jesus Do? A Family Devotional for Preteens and Parents helps families grow closer to God—and to one another—through thoughtful weekly reflections inspired by the timeless question “What would Jesus do?”
Purpose Driven Life for Kids by Rick Warren These short 5 minute devotionals aim to share how God created each of his children with a purpose in mind, and how to thoughtfully and prayerfully start the incredible journey of finding that reason. This year-long devotional will guide readers through self-discovery in prayer, building purposefully friendships and relations, and creating a fulfilling life through God’s word.
Short Bible Stories for Kids This isn't just another Bible storybook. It's a carefully crafted journey through Scripture's most powerful lessons, designed specifically for curious minds ages 8-12 who are ready for deeper meaning.
New Morning Mercies for Kids Author Paul David Tripp has abridged his bestselling daily devotional, New Morning Mercies, to guide children ages 8–12 with the word of God in 60 kid-friendly devotions filled with gospel encouragement. Arranged into 3 weekly readings for 20 weeks―with each week focusing on a biblical theme such as prayer, obedience, and God’s sovereignty―the devotions include a brief meditation, heart-focused questions, puzzles and activities, and much more! Created to be read alone by the child or with their family, New Morning Mercies for Kids introduces children to the living God and helps them live for his glory―day in and day out.
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Meet Me In The Middle As leaders at one of the country's largest churches, mother-and-daughter team Sandra Stanley and Allie Stanley Cooney have professional backgrounds working with young people--as well as personal experience seeking minimum door-slams and maximum heart-to-hearts. The discussion questions, Scriptures, and activity ideas they offer in Meet Me in the Middle guide you to a relationship with your tween or teen that helps you both grow in trust, communication, and faith.
How to Talk So Teens Will Listen and Listen So Teems Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish Filled with straightforward advice and written in their trademark, down-to-earth style sure to appeal to both parents and teens, this all-new volume offers both innovative, easy-to-implement suggestions and proven techniques to build the foundation for lasting relationships. From curfews and cliques to sex and drugs, it gives parents the tools to help their children safely navigate the often stormy years of adolescence.
Parenting Your Out of Control Teenager by Scott Sells Every teenager pushes limits―talks back, breaks curfew, or refuses to follow rules. But now, millions of teens are taking those behaviors to the extreme―disrupting families, damaging relationships, or showing aggression. If one of these teens is yours, you’ve likely lived through years of conflicting advice and quick fixes that don’t last.
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It’s Never Too Late To Be A Great Parent by Catherine Hickam The strategies that once guided parents through toddlerhood and the teenage years are irrelevant when children reach adulthood. Across the country, many parents find themselves unsure how to stay connected, how to support without overstepping, and how to maintain closeness as roles and expectations shift.
The Purpose Driven Life — Rick Warren A faith‑centered book that helps parents clarify purpose, strengthen spiritual grounding, and lead their families with intention.
Mere Christianity — C.S. Lewis Recognized as one of the most important Christian books of the twentieth century, Mere Christianity brings together Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War II, in which he explored the core beliefs of Christianity—timeless topics that continue to engage us—right and wrong, human nature, morality, marriage, sin, forgiveness, faith, hope, generosity, and kindness.
The Grace of God — Andy Stanley A clear and accessible look at God’s grace that helps parents respond to their children with compassion, patience, and Christ‑centered understanding.
Done — Corey Schmidt A simple, gospel‑centered book that helps parents anchor their family’s faith in the finished work of Chist.
Podcasts are a simple way to bring encouragement, insight, and real‑time support into your day. Hearing other people talk through challenges can help you feel less alone in what you’re facing, and sometimes even one helpful tip can make a big difference in the moment. They’re easy to listen to while driving, cooking, or getting ready — and they can even spark conversation on those nights when everyone sits down at the dinner table and suddenly no one has anything to talk about. Listening together can open the door to meaningful moments and help your family grow in connection.
If these recommendations don’t fit what you’re looking for, explore others that speak to you. The goal is to find voices that support your family’s growth and strengthen your walk of faith.
Recommended Podcasts
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Secure Attachment with Dr. Sara Bren Your go-to podcast for psychologically informed, research-based information about parenting, child development, and the fundamentals of fostering secure attachment relationships with our kids.
The Institute of Child Psychology Join Tammy Schamuhn and Tania Johnson- Psychologists, play therapists, and moms, as they interview the top parenting and children’s mental health experts in the world. If you want a podcast that is designed to educate and inspire you with current research and concrete strategies to foster resiliency and healing, then this podcast is for you!
Raising Boys & Girls Our goal is to help you care for the kids in your life with a little more understanding, a little more practical help, and a whole lot of hope. So pull up a chair and join us on this journey of raising boys and girls.
Daily Hope with Rick Warren this podcast offers relatable, easy-to-understand Bible teaching and spiritual encouragement. It provides practical truths to help parents anchor their daily lives in faith, reduce stress, and live out a purpose-driven life.
Christian Parenting Hosted by Steph Thurling, the podcast centers on helping parents move away from the pressure of perfectionism, embracing the reality of being "perfectly imperfect" parents while actively teaching children about God’s love.
K-Love Podcasts is a listener-funded nonprofit podcast platform dedicated to inspiring thoughtful conversations about faith. With the support of generous donors like you, we're able to provide millions of listeners with a place to explore real and vulnerable topics.
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Family Discipleship Hosted by Adam Griffin, Cassie Bryant, and Chelsea Griffin, this podcast focuses on intentional parenting from the earliest years. They have brilliant episodes tackling emotional health, self-control, patience, and navigating big toddler behaviors through a gospel lens.
Faith in Families Hosted by Ed and Jam, this family stream uses fun facts, sketches, and upbeat songs to talk about God's love, kindness, and how we relate to one another. It's lively, engaging, and explicitly designed to be listened to together in the car or at the kitchen table.
Paws and Tales A classic audio-drama style podcast following a group of forest animal characters. It acts like an old-time radio theater for kids, masterfully teaching biblical principles, moral understanding, emotional awareness, and how to treat friends and family kindly.
Slugs and Bugs Rooted in the whimsical and heartfelt music of Randall Goodgame (Slugs & Bugs), this podcast blends charming storytelling, Scripture memorization, and gentle relational lessons. It’s an absolute favorite for little ones and has a very comforting, joyful tone.
K-Love for Kids We create music, videos, podcasts and experiences designed just for tweens, helping them explore faith in ways that are fun, meaningful and memorable.
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The Official Average Boy Specifically targeted at kids ages 8 to 12. It uses humor and relatable comedy to discuss everyday preteen struggles like forgiveness, self-control, setting goals, prayer, and finding your true worth in Christ.
Aventures in Odyssey A classic, high-production audio drama series that has walked kids through moral dilemmas, relationship conflict, integrity, and faith questions for decades. It is fantastic for car rides and naturally sparks deep family conversations afterward.
K-Love for Kids We create music, videos, podcasts and experiences designed just for tweens, helping them explore faith in ways that are fun, meaningful and memorable.
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Warefare Parenting Geared directly toward parents whose kids are moving into or through young adulthood. It focuses heavily on prayer, releasing "mom/dad guilt," handling emotional stress when your young adult faces hurdles, and letting faith lead the way as your child figures out their own life.
Parenting Today’s Teens A leading daily resource specifically for parents raising adolescents. Mark Gregston tackles tough issues like rebellion, screen addiction, identity, peer pressure, and emotional disconnection, always providing grace-filled, practical, and biblically grounded advice.
The Fuller Youth Institute Rooted in extensive research on youth culture, this podcast tackles "sticky faith"—helping parents understand how to cultivate a resilient faith that lasts through the high school years and into adulthood. They frequently address big topics like teen anxiety, identity, and mental health.
Unlocked: Daily Devotional for Teens Short, relatable daily audio devotions read by young hosts. It tackles real struggles teens face regarding school, self-worth, emotional stress, and walking with Christ day-to-day.
Built By Him A podcast created by teens, for teens. It focuses on holistic adolescent well-being—discussing how to balance mental, physical, social, and spiritual health (modeled after Luke 2:52). It's a great window into how peers are processing life and faith.
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The Boundless Show Specifically designed for Christian young adults and singles. It addresses the exact questions this age group faces: How do you balance work and personal life? How do you date with purpose? How do you own your faith when you're out on your own? It's honest, comforting, and community-driven.
Becoming Something Focused heavily on twenty-somethings, this podcast dives into mental health, emotional maturity, overcoming anxiety, breaking bad habits, and figuring out identity and calling. It's practical and deeply rooted in faith.
The Porch Originating from a large young adult ministry, this show addresses tough cultural and relational topics—ranging from navigating loneliness and friendships to building healthy romantic boundaries and processing grief or stress.
Warefare Parenting Geared directly toward parents whose kids are moving into or through young adulthood. It focuses heavily on prayer, releasing "mom/dad guilt," handling emotional stress when your young adult faces hurdles, and letting faith lead the way as your child figures out their own life.
Recommended Apps
Apps can be a practical way to support calm, build healthy habits, and give both parents and kids simple tools they can use in real time. Many offer guided breathing and meditation, Bible reading and prayer prompts, or fun ways to learn and grow. Some also include accountability features or progress tracking, which can help families reach their goals. Exploring these tools together can make practicing new skills feel approachable and even enjoyable for your family.
If these apps aren’t the right fit, feel free to explore others. The goal is to find tools that help create a calmer, more connected environment for you and your family.
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Parent Cue We see your hard work to raise a kid with faith and character, and how much your kid matters to you! That’s why we created the Parent Cue app.
You Version Bible Built to help people create daily spiritual rhythms, the Bible App brings Scripture to life on any device, in thousands of languages. All completely free. Whether it’s a verse before school, a devotional with friends, or a shared prayer in a church group, this is more than an app. It’s a community of people staying connected to God through His Word.
The Happy Child Grants you access to cutting-edge research and tips that will help you raise a happy, well-adjusted child. Years of ground-breaking research and findings in Psychology, Neuroscience and Pediatrics have been curated into one easy-to-use app.
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You Version Bible for Kids Bible App for Kids is a free Bible made for children ages 4–8 and their families. With narrated stories, interactive scenes, and engaging games, kids can explore God’s story in a way that feels natural, fun, and easy to understand.
Faithful Kids A structured, Duolingo-style app for kids ages 5–15 that turns learning about faith into an interactive journey. It uses sequential lessons, avatars, streaks, and short quizzes after every story to help kids retain concepts. It provides a structured, gamified environment that keeps preteens engaged without exposing them to open web algorithms or ads.
Minnio Kids A safe, ad-free streaming and media app (often thought of as a Christian alternative to Netflix). Minno features a robust library of shows, family devotionals, and series (like Micah’s Super Vlog or Adventures in Odyssey) that directly address emotional health, friendship dynamics, kindness, and navigating the social pressures unique to upper-elementary and middle school years.
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You Version Bible Built to help people create daily spiritual rhythms, the Bible App brings Scripture to life on any device, in thousands of languages. All completely free. Whether it’s a verse before school, a devotional with friends, or a shared prayer in a church group, this is more than an app. It’s a community of people staying connected to God through His Word.
Faithful Kids A structured, Duolingo-style app for kids ages 5–15 that turns learning about faith into an interactive journey. It uses sequential lessons, avatars, streaks, and short quizzes after every story to help kids retain concepts. It provides a structured, gamified environment that keeps preteens engaged without exposing them to open web algorithms or ads.
Minnio Kids A safe, ad-free streaming and media app (often thought of as a Christian alternative to Netflix). Minno features a robust library of shows, family devotionals, and series (like Micah’s Super Vlog or Adventures in Odyssey) that directly address emotional health, friendship dynamics, kindness, and navigating the social pressures unique to upper-elementary and middle school years.
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You Version Bible Built to help people create daily spiritual rhythms, the Bible App brings Scripture to life on any device, in thousands of languages. All completely free. Whether it’s a verse before school, a devotional with friends, or a shared prayer in a church group, this is more than an app. It’s a community of people staying connected to God through His Word.
Faith Time Teens looking for a social, gamified, and community-driven approach to faith. It reimagines how teenagers interact with spiritual resources by combining a safe Christian community feed with interactive elements like Bible trivia, verse puzzles, live voice rooms, and an AI-supported Bible assistant to help answer tough questions in real time. It’s built to make exploring faith feel active and collaborative rather than solitary.
Unlocked Daily processing of emotions, school stress, and relationship hurdles. Available both online and as a resource platform, it features daily devotions written specifically for teens. Using stories, poetry, and raw essays, it directly tackles the question: How does Jesus affect what I am actually going through today with my friends, my mood, and my future?
Bible Project Visual learners and teens wrestling with big, existential questions. Many teens pull away from faith because they find traditional reading dry or confusing. This app uses world-class, stunning animated videos to map out the overarching themes of scripture, emotional honesty in the Psalms, and how biblical narratives relate to human relationships and purpose.
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You Version Bible Built to help people create daily spiritual rhythms, the Bible App brings Scripture to life on any device, in thousands of languages. All completely free. Whether it’s a verse before school, a devotional with friends, or a shared prayer in a church group, this is more than an app. It’s a community of people staying connected to God through His Word.
Refocus Now A biblically and clinically based mental health, mindfulness, and meditation app. It bridges the gap between psychological tools and Christian faith, offering guided therapeutic exercises, breathing techniques, and journaling prompts specifically categorized around identity, self-worth, grief, and relationships. It's a wonderful, practical pocket resource for twenty-somethings learning to process stress and big life transitions.
Glorify A beautifully designed, highly popular daily devotional and worship app. For young adults whose schedules are chaotic (juggling college, early careers, or moving to new cities), Glorify helps build a consistent spiritual rhythm. It combines daily scripture, curated prayer tracks, Christian meditation, and sleep stories to help combat the anxiety and burnout common in this life stage.
Bible Project An app built around visual learning, cinematic animations, and podcast modules mapping out scripture. Young adults frequently wrestle with deep intellectual and existential questions about their faith. The BibleProject app helps untangle difficult texts, exploring how biblical themes connect directly to human psychology, relationships, and modern life.