Parents are often asking if there are any good resources out there for parenting teens. Here are a few resources that we trust.

Center for Parent / Youth Understanding–CPYU was developed in 1990 by Walt Mueller. Their tagline is “understanding culture to impact culture” and they offer several resources to that end, including the Youth Culture e-Update, 3(D) Reviews of popular media, and pages of articles and pop culture commentary. Lots of help for the parent that wants to stay in the know.

The Source for Parents – This is a relatively new site from Jonathan McKee, a forerunner in the field of youth ministry.  Jonathan’s Source site has always done a good job of keeping youth workers informed about trends in student culture and now this site aims to do the same for parents. Subscribe to weekly parent helps, Jonathon’s blog, and a youth culture blog.

Homeword– Jim Burns founded Homeword in 1985. He is known as the guy who was Doug Field’s youth pastor and is passionate about equipping families for success. Homeword does this through daily radio programs, an extensive web site – with one of the best monthly parent newsletters you can find anywhere, and lots of quality print material.

Real World Parents– Founded by Youth Specialties’ own Mark Matlock, this site offers conversation starters, family activities, and my favorite – daily Scripture prayers that are emailed to parents to remind them to pray for their kids.

Sticky Faith–A movement of concerned parents and church leaders who are passionate about making faith stick with kids and kids stick to their faith for life. Dr. Kara Powell leads the charge with her book Sticky Faith but she has videos, an e-journal even events for parents of teens.

Focus on the Family–This has been a trusted ministry for so many years, offering top quality resources for the family. It is a door way to dozens of articles answering the questions that parents grapple with all of the time.

 

Other Valuable Sites

BibleGateway
Bible Gateway is a tool for reading and researching scripture online — all in the language or translation of your choice! It provides advanced searching capabilities, which allow readers to find and compare particular passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.

YouVersion
YouVersion.com and YouVersion Mobile is a Bible engagement tool accessible via the web, or any web enabled mobile device. YouVersion currently has 41 different translations, in 22 languages, in the palm of your hand.

NAMB’s Mobilize Me
Interested in missions, either short term or long? This is a great place to start.

CHRISTIAN ANSWERS.NET
Research answers to questions about the Bible, faith, suffering, evolution, ethical issues, etc. Also has a “Spotlight” section that includes movie and online game reviews.

Escape The Trap
If sexual temptation looked and smelled like roadkill, we wouldn’t need this resource! But that’s not the way it is…sexual temptation will always confront students who want to please God. This is an online booklet about the effects of pornography.

Accountability Software
This is a FREE accountability program helping with online integrity. It is offered at no charge by the ministry of XXXchurch.com and it’s supporters.

CROSSWALK.COM
Access news and sports from a Christian perspective, read book excerpts, check music reviews, read a daily devotional, search the Bible, subscribe to a newsletter or send an e-mail postcard.

EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM.COM
This is a ministry of ChristianAnswers.net.  It includes sections on “Ways To Share” and “How To Respond When They Say…”

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC (CCM) MAGAZINE
Just what the name implies… news, information, interviews and reviews of Christian music artists.

Air 1 Radio
One very cool radio station.

iTICKETS.COM
Find out when your favorite Christian musicians are coming to town. This site has a comprehensive listing of concerts, searchable by geographic location. You can even have them e-mail you when one of your “favorites” schedules a concert in your area and then order the tickets online.