Kristen Welch

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The Christian Parent Manifesto

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We walked into church and my daughter grabbed my arm and whispered, “Why is it so crowded?” I looked around and she was right, every seat was filled.

“This is what happens when Christians think the world is ending,” I whispered back.

“Mom!” she said as we found our seat.

I wasn’t sure she even understand my sarcasm. It was the week of the Supreme Court decision when I wrote about love instead of fear. On the way home from church, I told my kids about the packed-out churched the Sunday after the 9/11 attack and explained that people often look to the church when they are unsure of where our world is headed or if they are afraid.

We talk a lot about cultural norms and shifts in our home because I want to teach my kids God’s standard of right and wrong, especially when issues become hot topics in our society. Because I know for a fact that their peers will be talking about what they are reading online and I’ve always wanted my kids to compare what they hear with what they’ve been taught in God’s Word, so they will know His standard in contrast to the world’s.

“Should we be afraid?” one of my kids piped up from the backseat.

We are living in uncertain times and what used to be unthinkable is now daily headlines. When I read about nearly 100 children being executed in the Middle East by ISIS lunatics because they refused to fast, I couldn’t help but want to protect my children from the evil in this world.

I understand that teaching absolute truth that sometimes contradicts cultural norms could be making life a little more challenging for them. And if the evil that is targeting Christians in the Middle East ever found its way here . . .honestly, the thought terrifies me.

But perfect love casts out fear, so we are just going to love people and hold onto Jesus.

I woke up in the middle of the night burdened for our world and these challenging times when truth becomes a battleground; hate is louder than love and children have become targets of an evil enemy. I am not a doomsday crier, but it doesn’t take a genius to recognize that our world has become more violent, darker and more uncertain in the past few years.  I wrote this manifesto as a reminder of what I want to teach my children about following Jesus in uncertain times:

The Christian Parent Manifesto

This world is not our final home.

Because of this, we won’t always fit in, and actually, we should strive not to conform to the world.

The Bible is our standard for holiness and guides our everyday living.

Truth may shift in our culture, but we look to God’s Word as our standard.

There will be people who choose to live differently than we do. This doesn’t affect, change or alter how we treat them.

We love people no matter what.

There are scary things in this world, but we can hold fast to the peace of God.

His peace comforts us when we don’t understand things around us.

God is in control and He sees all and knows all.

One day, He will return for us.

This is our blessed hope.

Until that day, we will stand for what we believe is right.

We will serve others who cannot serve themselves.

We will speak up for those who have been muffled by oppression and poverty.

We will give more than we take.

We will love others because He first loved us.

We will follow Jesus wherever He leads.

(Download a copy for your family here) (or print one here)

I don’t always know how to navigate this changing culture as a Christian parent.

But this is a good guide:

“Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got! Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.” Deut. 6:5-7

For The Momma of the Strong-Willed Child

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The week before you were born I had my first pedicure. It was a Mother's Day gift from your Dad. I didn't have to see my feet to know they were terribly swollen. I begged my doctor to induce me early--not because I was miserable, although yes. But mostly because I wanted to meet you. You are my only son. And in that one heavy statement- you have already met and exceeded every joy I thought might come with being a boy Mom. Except for the dirt. There's been a lot of that. The ... Read More

Because Sometimes Being the Meanest Mom Might Also Make You Mother of the Year

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You've probably seen it by now. The viral video of the Baltimore mother in bright yellow beating the hell out of her rioting teenaged son in the middle of the street. She's being called "mother of the year" by some and abusive by others. And whether you're cheering her on after watching the video or wanting to call child protective services, I'd bet a dollar her son has called her the "meanest mom in the world" before their very public moment. Listen. I've been called it for much ... Read More

The One Thing You Can Do for Your Kid Who Sabotages Family Time

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We sat around the dinner table finishing up our tacos, shredded lettuce and cheese scattered about. "Okay, everyone, finish up and I'll pass out the Bibles," my husband said. For years now, we've made an attempt to Break Bread after we've consumed it. Its been the optimal time for our family to connect, read a devotion or Scripture or two for a few minutes. Dinner is one of the only times during the day we are all together, mostly still and quiet. I've said this several times, but it's ... Read More

24 Lessons I Want To Teach My Daughter (Before She Leaves Home)

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I sat straight up in bed in the middle of the night, heart pounding. "What is it, honey?" my husband asked groggily. "Do you think she knows not to call boys? Have I told her that yet?" I asked. He sighed. It's hard letting your daughter turn 15. I remember being 15 years old. I think I cried every day that year, always trying to figure out how I fit in a one-size fits-all world. She is more woman than girl now and she longs for independence and understanding. I'm learning to ... Read More

What Really Happens When We Give Kids Everything They Want

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"I want it. Why? Because everyone else has it." It's a conversation we've had countless times in our house. It doesn't matter what it's about--the newest technology, the latest fad, the most popular shoes- it's treacherous ground to add it to our want list so we can be like everyone else. These five dangerous words are turning homes upside down. When we give our children everything they want (because everyone else has it), it speeds up their childhood: We have six year olds addicted ... Read More

Memorable Gifts Kids Won’t Forget

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I'll never forget the Christmas we gave too many gifts. My kids were around 4 and 6 years old and it was like a marathon of toy-opening and we needed water breaks to get thru it. I'm not even kidding. Most of the gifts were sale or clearance items I'd bought all year and tucked away. It was the season of my life I refer to as "Quantity not Quality." It was all about more--more for me, more for them. It left us with a lot of stuff, including emptiness. As I encouraged my weary kids to ... Read More