If Your Kids Are Still Little, Read This Before They’re Big

What if the goal was to raise young adults who fully expect to outdistance you in the arena of life—because you told them they would?

To raise them as intelligent, independent thinkers who challenge the status quo, raise the bar, and carry a deep sense of purpose in the Kingdom of God.

What if they not only believed they were called, but were equipped to pursue that calling for the rest of their lives?

Let’s Gooooo!

Can I paint a picture for you? At the time of this writing, my kids are ages 21, 18, 15, 14 and 11. I love God’s design and marvel at the fruit I see in their lives. Seeds we sowed in them from a very young age while we ourselves were covered in mountains of laundry, diapers and dishes, sometimes sleep deprived while paying bills or in church during worship time, those seeds have been watered and are starting to yield green fruit. 

What I love most about this season is that we still have their hearts!

What does that mean?

It means they all WANT to share their life with Brad and I. They WANT our input and advice. They tell us about their friendships, their challenges and their joys. We’re the first to hear about their successes AND their failures. They know that home is a safe place to fail or to have shortcomings surface because they know they will receive loving correction and guidance.  When they’re anxious, they share their heart with us, knowing we’ll walk alongside while they remember Scripture and appropriate God’s promises. 

I’ll tell you what we don’t deal with too! We don’t deal with kids sneaking out of the house, lying about who they’re with, or hiding their phones or social media from us. We don’t deal with wondering if they’re being nice to us only because they’re about to ask us for something. Do you know what a relief it is to know our kids have their own genuine walk with God? 

Read the following and say them aloud. Do they resonate? Are there areas your family could grow in together with your leadership? Even if your kids are ages 2, 3 and 5, this is the best time for you to set these intentions!

In this house, we don’t perform - we belong.  If it’s fake, it doesn’t belong. We value authenticity over appearance, truth over image, and connection over performance. Because fake doesn’t build trust- but honesty does!

What Mom and Dad know helps me go further.  Instead of “what Mom and Dad don’t know won’t hurt them”, in our house, the more you share, the more secure you are, because honesty isn’t punished - it’s protected. 

We don’t do dumb teenagers - we raise wise warriors. LIke Jesus at twelve, we expect our children to grow in wisdom, stature, and honor- fully capable, fully called, and fully submitted to God and their parents.” Luke 2:52

We don’t excuse teen drama- we equip discernment. We don’t raise moody, drama-hungry teens, we raise emotionally mature image-bearers. 

Before you think these things are always being lived out perfectly in our home, let me tell you this:

These are some of the principles that guide our parenting and the expectations we hold - not because we see them lived out perfectly every day, but because we believe in calling our children up, not writing them off. 

We lead with vision, not fear- training them toward who they’re becoming, not just reacting to where they are (this has probably been the most challenging for mama if I can be real with you!). Progress over perfection. Grace with grit. That’s the culture we’ve been building since they were little. 

Do a deep dive in Scripture! Journal! Make declarations based on the following:

Scriptures About Parenting

🔹 Parenting with Vision and Legacy

• Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (ESV)
  “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children…”
  
  

• Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)
  “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
  
  

• Psalm 78:4–7 (NIV)
  “We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation... so that they would put their trust in God.”
  
  

🔹 Building Wisdom Early

• Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)
  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
  
  

• 2 Timothy 3:14–15 (NIV)
  “Continue in what you have learned... how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation.”
  
  

• James 1:5 (NIV)
  “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God... and it will be given to you.”

🔹 Sowing Now for a Future Harvest

• Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
  “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
  
  

• Ecclesiastes 11:6 (CSB)
  “In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand rest, because you don’t know which will succeed...”

🔹 God’s Promise for Generational Impact

• Isaiah 54:13 (NIV)
  “All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.”
  
  

• Psalm 127:3–4 (ESV)
  “Children are a heritage from the Lord... Like arrows in the hand of a warrior...”
  
  

Conclusion:

So if you have kids ages 12-20, partner with Holy Spirit to continue to keep their heart as you give guidance, and if your kids are still little, now you have a vision to run with. 

Have you been looking for something that will help you or a loved one learn more about joyful parenting?  Check out our Parenting Toolbox! A perfect match if you’re wanting clear, easy biblical concepts and action steps. We also have my Wisdom For Parenting Littles book - a quick read full of practical wisdom. 

Until next time!

Bendiciones! Blessings! Ciao!