Virginia Satir, noted family therapist and author, regards parenting as “the hardest, most complicated, anxiety-ridden, sweat-and-blood-producing job in the world. Succeeding,” she says, “requires the ultimate in patience, common sense, commitment, humor, tact, love, wisdom, awareness, and knowledge.” At the same time, Satir observed that parenting “holds the possibility of the most rewarding, joyous experience of a lifetime, namely, that of being successful guides to a new and unique human being” (The New People Making, Science and Behavior Books, 1988). What a privilege for you to partner with parents in your church!

A recent Amazon.com search of the word “parenting” brought up 89,503 resources. A visit to your local Christian bookstore will also reveal well-stocked shelves with books on parenting. All aim to provide parents with important information and skills. The variety usually leaves parents and teachers confused about which to choose. Please don’t make the same mistake I (Phil) made by looking for the perfect curriculum that would meet all the needs of the parents.

So how can parents and teachers select curriculum that will best serve those who attend their classes? In our situation, we knew we were looking for a core curriculum—one that taught fundamentals in parenting from a biblical perspective and offered practical skills. We didn’t want a curriculum with a short shelf life. We also wanted a curriculum that was supported by various resources. What is your church asking for in their request for a parenting class? Are you intending to teach a one-time class or is your plan to repeat your class? Answering the purpose question will help focus your search.

We just dealt with the most basic question about purpose, but there are more questions to mull over if you want to find a curriculum that fits your purpose and your parents. Here are some key questions to answer:

• Does the curriculum teach biblical principles and support a Christian worldview?

• Does the material deal with the needs and interests of your parents?

• Will parents be actively involved in the learning process?

• Is the curriculum user friendly? How much preparation is required?

• What format is used? How many sessions are offered?

• Is the material adaptable to your situation?

• Are the materials attractive?

• What does the curriculum offer and is it affordable?

• What information is covered and what skills are taught?

Here’s our list of parenting curricula that we recommend you review. These materials are biblically sound with practical down-to-earth advice produced by trustworthy people who have been in the field of parenting for many years. Our recommendations are listed alphabetically.

Confident Parenting is a DVD curriculum with six sessions written by Dr. Jim Burns, founder of the ministry HomeWord.

Grace Based Parenting is a 10-session DVD curriculum by Dr. Tim Kimmel, founder of Family Matters ministries.

HomeBuilders Parent Series by various authors is produced by FamilyLife Ministry. There are six different parenting studies in this series and each contains six sessions.

Parenting by the Book is a course by John Rosemond, psychologist.

Value-Packed Parenting is a DVD curriculum by Dr. Kevin Leman, a Christian psychologist, motivational speaker, and writer. Dr. Leman has produced several parenting curricula. Value-Packed Parenting is his most recent. Others include How to Make Your Kids Mind without Losing Yours and Navigating the Rapids for parents of teens.

The materials we use as the core parenting curriculum at our church and a primary resource for what we teach when we present parenting seminars at other churches is Love and Logic Parenting by Jim Fay, Charles Fay, and Foster Cline. Like the curriculum above, the content is biblical and practical. Love and Logic includes access to vast resources available for parenting children of all ages (for more information go to www.loveandlogic.com). We have been Love and Logic parents since our children were preschoolers (they’re 22 and 24 now). Consistent feedback from our Love and Logic parents is that the material makes sense and the techniques taught really work—we can attest to that!

You are about to join the ranks of those who are serving God by supporting parents in their efforts to “point their kids in the right direction” (see Proverbs 22:6). We believe God will bless your search for the right curriculum and your efforts to teach. |L

OTHER COLUMNS:
November 8, 2009 - Replacing anger with empathy
October 25, 2009 - Laying the right foundation
October 11, 2009 - Parenting without fear
September 27, 2009 - Mentoring the motherless
September 13, 2009 - Sharing family stories
August 30, 2009 - Parenting solo
August 16, 2009 - Surviving junior high
August 2, 2009 - Healthy boundaries at home
July 19, 2009 - Parenting curriculum
July 5, 2009 - Job loss and your family
June 21, 2009 - Winning dads
June 7, 2009 - Benefits of marriage
May 24, 2009 - Love at a distance
May 10, 2009 - Mother and daughter conflicts
April 26, 2009 - Caring at a distance
April 12, 2009 - Teaching children about God
March 29, 2009 - Family meal time
March 15, 2009 - Giving an allowance
March 1, 2009 - Growing children spiritually
February 15, 2009 - Reduce your stress level
February 1, 2009 - Pitfalls in parenting teens
January 18, 2009 - Vital signs of healthy families
January 4, 2009 - Life after divorce
December 21, 2008 - Santa and Christmas
December 7, 2008 - Raising spiritual champions
November 23, 2008 - Family traditions
November 9, 2008 - Parenting after divorce
October 26, 2008 - Feeling like a failure
October 12, 2008 - How to save your marriage
September 28, 2008 - Rolling with the changes
September 14, 2008 - Teens need boundaries
August 31, 2008 - To separate or not
August 17, 2008 - Teen drivers
August 3, 2008 - Adoption worked for our family
July 6, 2008 - Tips for new parents
June 22, 2008 - The swivel door
May 25, 2008 - Expectations in marriage
May 25, 2008 - Helping our children become decision makers
May 11, 2008 - God’s plan for sexual purity
April 27, 2008 - Families and forgiveness
April 13, 2008 - Expressing thanks
March 30, 2008 - Love languages
March 18, 2008 - Cultivate commitment
March 2, 2008 - Teaching children about money
February 17, 2008 - Reclaim your family time
February 3, 2008 - Keeping the peace
January 20, 2008 - A preacher’s wife
January 6, 2008 - Passing on your faith
December 23, 2007 - Self-worth in children
December 9, 2007 - Forgiveness in the family
November 25, 2007 - Santa Claus is coming to town
November 11, 2007 - Parents under stress
October 28, 2007 - A more satisfying marriage
October 14, 2007 - Codependency
September 16, 2007 - Rewards and motivation
September 2, 2007 - Improving your child’s work ethic
August 19, 2007 - Teaming with teachers for success
August 5, 2007 - Communicating with your teen
July 22, 2007 - Childhood trauma
July 8, 2007 - Delegation and responsibility
June 24, 2007 - Learning to say no
June 10, 2007 - Teaching children about money
May 27, 2007 - When children rebel
May 13, 2007 - Mom’s wisdom
April 29, 2007 - 10 tips for parenting teenagers
April 15, 2007 - Making marital intimacy a priority
April 1, 2007 - Kids need time to play
March 18, 2007 - When you need counseling
March 4, 2007 - Bouncing back
February 18, 2007 - Narrowing your focus
February 4, 2007 - Choose your battles carefully
January 21, 2007 - New parents
January 7, 2007 - Parenting pointers
December 17, 2006 - The power of praise
December 3, 2006 - Knowing a woman’s heart
November 19, 2006 - On a more positive path
November 5, 2006 - Putting household chores in a positive light
October 22, 2006 - Finding significance
October 8, 2006 - Secrets of a healthy family
September 24, 2006 - Confronting elder abuse
September 10, 2006 - Parenting grandchildren
August 27, 2006 - Teaching our children right from wrong
August 13, 2006 - Letting go of adult children
July 30, 2006 - Solving your solvable problem