Christian advice from parents?

I remember what it was like to be a teenager. There were times when it was stressful, overwhelming and full of pressures. I went through a period in my teen years when I just couldn't wait to be an adult and be on my own, making my own decisions without my parents butting in and looking over my shoulder all the time. I thought they were clueless and out of touch with my generation.





Now I'm raising teenage girls who think I'm clueless and out of touch with their generation. They can't imagine that I understand what they're going through with the pressures they're faced with everyday.





Most kids want to be popular. Most kids want to hang out with the ';cool'; crowd and be invited to the best parties, be accepted by the popular people, wear the popular clothes and fit in. The problem is that there are many times when following the ';popular'; road isn't pleasing to God. Sometimes as Christian teens get older, they go through a period when popularity becomes more important than pleasing God. They make certain decisions that may go against what they're heart is telling them to do because they want to fit in, and by making a decision that is pleasing to God, they may find themselves rejected. (And we all know that rejection is hurtful)





As a Christian parent, how do you deal with teaching your kids that sometimes being a Christian means you WONT fit in, that sometimes you'll be rejected and NOT be popular? Whether you're a Christian teen or not, fitting in and being accepted are important to kids.Christian advice from parents?
It's funny how so many non-Christians think they know what's best for a Christian kid. They have no problem jumping in and bashing what they don't understand. Yet they would be outraged if Christians gave them the same harsh advice.





It's the worst form of neglect to not teach your kids about God!





That should get me a few hate-emails...





With my kids, I said Yes to as many things as possible, and saved my No's for the really big things. I kept my kids involved in our church's youth group, and encouraged the friendships that developed there. Not only did our kids make some great friends, my wife and I became good friends with their families. The kids loved having their parents hanging out together.





Kids do need to fit in. If a Christian kid doesn't fit in with the world, they still need to fit in somewhere. It's best if it's in church.





My kids had friends from school as well as from church. I only discouraged friendships with kids who I thought were taking them down the wrong path. But no matter how hard you try to shield your kids from rejection, they're going to get it. Jesus told us that the servant isn't greater than his master. If the world hated Him, it's going to hate us. That's reality. I taught my kids to understand this as well.Christian advice from parents?
Children who are raised as Christians to fall victim to the same pressures as anyone else. Just have faith that what you have taught them will bring them back on the right path. Their Christian faith and your prayers will get them through the rough patches. Encourage them to participate faith bases activities with other Christian teens so that they will not feel so out of place.





God bless you and your children.
The thing to do is to make sure that the best education is available.


In every modern civilized countries with efficient public school systems, thanks to education for all religious delusions and superstitions quietly fade away . That's the way to go.


Schizoid delusional mental disorder and schizophrenia are potentialy devastating mental diseases. These have to be vigorously diagnosed and treated. Not encouraged.
I think by explaning to them just as you have in your question. If Biblical/Christian principals have been taught them, then they will have to choose who they will follow. God or the world. We can't make their choices for them.





Prov 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.


(KJV)
Remember that Jesus Christ said that if it's the choice of someone let him/her follow me but never forcing them to. It's bad when you force somebody because he will usually react in the opposite way. They will understand that when it's time. Don't force them.
My mommy told me that I fit in just fine at home. I have alot of friends at church and we do things at church, my mommy and I do things even if the one kid at school thinks I am stupid it is okay because I fit in at home
how about as a ';good'; parent? being a christian parent has nothing to do with how well of a parent you are. if anything, pushing your religion on your kids is being a bad parent.
Yes this time is crucial they are developing skills they will need later in life.





If you believe you can ';please god'; maybe you shouldn't have anymore children.
Let them make their own mistakes. Isn't your God meant to be forgiving? He wouldn't begrudge them NORMAL teenage behaviour, surely?
I think it's important that your kids find good friends to hang out with. They could be people from your church or neighbors or relatives. Children of parents who share your values.
Just tell them not to show that they are Christan's. When I was a kid, no one knew I was religious (fact is, I did not want to be anyways. I am now agnostic.), it was ';uncool';.
I feel so sorry for your kid...................let her be what she is.......
The key is one that most ';christians'; have lost. Scripture says that we are to come out from the world, and be a separate people. Have we raised our children to understand that, and have we led by example. Oooh theres a big problem.


Yes, it can be hard for children, especially if they go to the same school as non-believers. It is the basic desire of most children (and adults) to be accepted by everyone around them.


That is why I believe, especially in this day when they are exposed to everything, that Godly parents are going to have to spend MORE time with their children teaching them what G-d expects.. Turning off Hellivision, and Secular radio stations. We have lost the Home Ministry that has always been expected by G-d. Just too tired and too busy.
My heart goes out to these young people, because they are definitely on the front lines of spiritual warfare. The young Columbine HS girl who lost her life because she would not reject the Lord is an example.





My mother taught me that God knows everything I do; He sees how I act and He hears what I say. She taught me that I answer to God for my acts, my words and my thoughts. I am not to worry about pleasing people because some people cannot be pleased, but I am to worry about pleasing God. If I am right with God, everything else will fall in order. God will even give me the right thing to say when I am persecuted by unbelievers. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.





I am 64 years old and I have never thought that I couldn't do something if I trusted God to help me accomplish it.





God didn't tell us to fit in and be accepted. God told us to stand out, be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.





If they call you names, bless them and pray for those who spitefully use you. Most people don't give others 2 seconds of thought.





Rejection of man is hurtful only if you let it. Rejection of God is eternal punishment.





A believer and a non-believer cannot walk together. Christ said, ';How can 2 walk together except they agree?'; Being rejected by a non-believer means nothing. Being rejected by God means everything.





I get into so much trouble for this one - ';sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.'; If your heart is right with the Lord, then words will never hurt you. If God be for me, who can be against me. Hurtful words are meant to be hurtful and many people have years of suffering because they did not know the Lord and they let people and their words hurt them and destroy their lives with bitterness. This is why God tells us to forgive and that we must forgive.


Bitterness left alone will turn into murder, whether it be murder by a gun or murder with the tongue.





Here is another Scripture: ';Perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment....'; Christ Jesus is ';perfect love.'; How many times did Christ tell the disciples ';do not fear?'; Fear of man, fear of rejection, fear of failure are all not made perfect in Christ Jesus. Again, I say, ';If Christ be for me, who can be against me.';





I hope this helps. Also, remind them what the Lord said, ';I will never leave you or forsake you.';
You are doing the right things, but results may not happen right away. You'll have to balance your good teachings with firm rules. They may go astray. But your consistency will help bring them back to the truth, eventually. Every parent wants to help their kids avoid mistakes, but mankind seems to only grow after a few painful prunings. Just feed them as much wisdom as you can combined with acceptance, praise and a ton of love and attention.





Also - be sure you aren't painting with one rightous brush (speaking to you mother to mother, christian to christian). Alot of what your kids are doing may be innocent and a normal part of learning to fit in. We have to fit in to this world to some degree. The idea is to fit in without being blended into the fabric of this world. Help them blend in ways that young people need when their young. Being polite, gracious, courteous, humorous, etc. You can teach them the trouble that pride, selfishness, a desire to be sexually attractive to every male rather than healthy and beautiful (that is a big one for females) can bring. Are you teaching your girls to control their emotions? Women must control their emotions and feelings as much as men must learn to control their sexual desires.





Wanting to be popular in school isnt a sure way to sin. If you hit them too hard with God (who is difficult to understand when you're an adult) you may send them further from Him. Pray about them, for them and for direction that will benefit them for their lifetime, not just keep them from wanting to be popular at this phase of their life (phase being the operative word.)





Your doing good, momma. Nothing brings me more hope in mankind than a good mother.