by Faith Kamau | Jul 4, 2025 | Advices, Articles, Parenting, Practical Tips for Christian Parents, Preteens, Teens
A Christian Parent’s Guide to Raising Confident and Godly Kids
Let’s face it, raising a preteen is no small task.
Between mood swings, shifting interests, growing independence, and a sudden obsession with YouTube shorts or sneakers, it can feel like you’re parenting a completely new version of your once-easygoing child.
But here’s the truth: the preteen years (ages 9–12) are a powerful window a time to speak identity, build trust, and lay a foundation of faith that will carry your child through adolescence and beyond.
In this post, we’ll explore how to raise confident, Christ-centered preteens with practical tools and biblical truth that work in real life.
1. Understand What’s Really Going On Inside Their Head
Preteens Are Changing Fast
The preteen brain is developing rapidly, which explains a lot of what you’re seeing:
- Better reasoning and decision-making, one minute…
- Total meltdown over pizza crust next.
Identity Is Being Formed
They’re asking deep questions like:
- “Who am I?”
- “Where do I fit in?”
- “Do I matter?”
This is your chance to speak life, truth, and purpose into their hearts. Let them know: They are loved, seen, and created by God for something great.
Emotions Are Intense
What seems small to you might feel enormous to them. A missed invitation, an awkward moment in class, these things leave a mark.
Offer empathy, not just correction. Let them feel, while guiding them with truth.
2. Help Them Build a Christ-Centered Identity
The world is quick to offer identity based on likes, looks, and performance. But God’s Word speaks a better story.
“You are fearfully and wonderfully made…” Psalm 139:14
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” Jeremiah 1:5
Practical Ways to Build Identity in Christ:
- Talk about God daily, not just on Sundays. Make faith a part of everyday conversation.
- Read the Bible together; even short devotions can open deep discussions.
- Live it out, let them see you trusting God, praying through problems, and loving others well.
They don’t just need to hear the truth, they need to see it lived.
3. Communicate (Even When They Seem to Pull Away)
Preteens may act like they don’t want to talk, but don’t stop showing up.
Try These Tips:
- Be available at the right moments, often bedtime or car rides, and open unexpected doors.
- Listen first. Don’t jump in with solutions. A listening ear builds trust.
- Create a judgment-free zone where they can talk about feelings, fears, or failures.
Remember: connection now creates influence later.
4. Set Healthy Boundaries Without Harshness
Your child may want independence, but they still need structure.
Make Boundaries Clear and Consistent:
- Explain the why behind rules (they’re not just control, they’re protection).
- Stick to limits, even when it’s inconvenient.
- Teach self-discipline by giving them ownership of responsibilities like chores and schoolwork.
Boundaries communicate love when enforced with consistency and grace.
5. Prepare Them to Handle Peer Pressure with Courage
Friends are everything at this age. That’s why helping your child stand strong in their faith and make wise choices is critical.
Equip Them With:
- Decision-making skills: Practice how to say “no” confidently.
- Discernment: Teach them to ask, “Will this honor God?”
- Biblical courage: Share stories like Daniel, Esther, or David, who stood strong in tough moments.
Help them seek friends who share their values and know that it’s okay to walk away from unhealthy friendships.
Final Thoughts: Be Present, Be Prayerful, Be Grace-Filled
The preteen years aren’t just a challenge, they’re a gift.
They’re a time to build trust. To affirm identity. To help your child see themselves through God’s eyes.
You don’t have to do it perfectly. You have to be present.
Keep praying. Keep listening. Keep planting seeds of faith.
And trust that God is shaping your child’s heart even in the messy, unpredictable, holy middle of growing up.
Try This at Home This Week:
- Ask your child: “What was one hard and one happy thing today?”
- Do a 10-minute Bible reading together (start with Proverbs or Psalms).
- Write them a short note that says what you see in them that’s God-given and beautiful.
by Faith Kamau | Jun 20, 2025 | Advices, Articles, Parenting, Practical Tips for Christian Parents
A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Technology with Wisdom and Faith
Let’s be honest, parenting preteens in today’s digital world can feel overwhelming. With smartphones, social media, YouTube, TikTok, and gaming platforms becoming part of daily life, many Christian parents are asking:
“How do I help my child stay grounded in faith while living in a connected, fast-paced world?”
You’re not alone. The digital landscape is evolving fast, but here’s the good news: God’s wisdom is timeless. With intentional guidance, open communication, and a solid biblical foundation, you can raise a preteen who thrives both online and offline.
Let’s walk through some practical strategies and spiritual insights to help your child engage with technology responsibly, while keeping Christ at the center.
1. Understanding the Digital World Your Preteen Lives In
Before we guide our kids, we must understand their world. Today’s preteens are digital natives; they’ve grown up with screens, emojis, and instant access to everything.
What’s Good:
- Educational tools and access to biblical content.
- Creative outlets like music, art, and storytelling.
- Staying connected with friends and family.
What’s Risky:
- Constant distraction and reduced attention spans.
- Exposure to harmful content and unhealthy comparisons.
- Pressure to seek identity through likes, followers, and online trends.
Instead of fearing technology, we can help our children approach it with purpose and discernment, using it as a tool, not a trap.
2. What the Bible Says About Tech Use (Yes, Really!)
Technology may be new, but the Bible has plenty to say about how we use our time, guard our hearts, and seek wisdom.
Teach Digital Stewardship
“Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…” Ephesians 5:15-16
Help your preteen view technology as a gift, not a right. Encourage them to:
- Set goals for screen time and take digital breaks.
- Use devices to learn, create, and connect, not just consume.
- Balance tech time with faith-building and family moments.
Guard the Heart and Mind
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23
Equip your child to recognize content that distracts or damages their spirit. Ask:
- Is this true, noble, right, and pure? (Philippians 4:8)
- Does this help or hurt my walk with God?
3. Set Healthy Digital Boundaries (Without Power Struggles)
Rules without a relationship often lead to rebellion. But clear, consistent boundaries with love help kids feel secure and supported.
Create a Family Tech Plan
- Limit screen time and create “device-free zones” like dinner or bedtime.
- Teach online manners, kind comments, no oversharing, and respect.
- Use tools like parental controls and filters not as punishment, but as protection.
Encourage Real-Life Fun
God didn’t create us for screens alone! Help your child:
- Develop offline hobbies like sports, music, reading, or crafts.
- Join in family walks, board games, or service projects.
- Connect with Christian peers through church, Bible studies, or youth camps.
4. Keep Your Preteen Safe Online (Without Hovering)
You don’t need to micromanage every click, but you do need to be involved.
Talk About Online Dangers
- Teach the importance of privacy: Never share full names, addresses, or passwords.
- Discuss how to spot and handle cyberbullying.
- Let them know: “If something makes you uncomfortable, you can always come to me.”
Equip Them to Make God-Honoring Choices
Ask reflective questions:
- Does this content reflect God’s truth?
- Would you watch or post this if Jesus were beside you?
- How does this activity make your heart feel closer to God or further away?
Open conversations foster trust, growth, and wisdom.
5. Cultivate a Christ-Centered Digital Life
Technology doesn’t have to pull your child away from God. It can also be a tool to grow closer to Him.
Faith Can Thrive Online
Encourage your preteen to:
- Use Bible apps and devotionals.
- Follow Christian YouTubers, musicians, and content creators.
- Share positive, faith-filled posts with their friends.
Remind them: Jesus is Lord over every part of life, including their digital life.
Model What You Want to See
Kids watch what we do more than what we say.
Let your child see you:
- Limiting your own screen time.
- Choosing uplifting content.
- Putting faith, family, and presence first.
When you model healthy habits, you give your preteen a living example of what it means to live faithfully in a digital world.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Raising a Tech Expert, You’re Raising a Kingdom Ambassador
Navigating this digital age doesn’t have to be scary. With biblical wisdom, honest conversations, and intentional parenting, you can help your preteen develop a healthy relationship with technology that honors God.
Remember:
- You don’t need to have it all figured out.
- You’re not in this alone. God is with you.
- Every small step you take matters.
By guiding your child with grace, structure, and love, you’ll prepare them not just to survive in the digital age but to shine as a light for Christ in the middle of it.
Ready to Create a Christ-Centered Digital Life in Your Home?
Start today with:
✅ One screen-free family meal
✅ A new Bible app challenge for your child
✅ A tech talk using Philippians 4:8 as your guide
You’ve got this by God’s grace.
by Faith Kamau | Jun 6, 2025 | Advices, Articles, Mentorship, Parenting, Preteens, Teens
Understanding Your Identity in Christ as a Preteen
Growing up isn’t always easy. Between school, friends, social media, and big emotions, it’s easy to start asking, “Who am I?” or “Am I good enough?”
The world throws a lot of confusing messages at preteens:
“You need to look a certain way.”
“You have to be popular to matter.”
“Your worth is in what you achieve.”
But here’s the truth: your identity is not something you have to earn. It’s something God gave you. You are special, deeply loved, and created on purpose by the Creator of the universe.
This blog will help you discover what God says about who you are and how to live every day with confidence, faith, and joy.
1. You Were Created in God’s Image
Your Worth Comes from Your Maker
You’re not a mistake. You weren’t randomly thrown together. You were made on purpose and for a purpose.
“So God created mankind in his own image…” Genesis 1:27
Being made in God’s image means you reflect His goodness, creativity, and love. That’s where your true worth comes from, not your achievements, talents, looks, or followers.
When you start seeing yourself the way God sees you, it changes everything. You’ll treat yourself and others with kindness, respect, and confidence.
2. You Are Loved and Chosen
God Picked You Long Before the World Noticed You
Ever feel like you’re not good enough? Like you don’t belong? God says the opposite.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” Jeremiah 1:5
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God…” Romans 8:38-39
You don’t have to fight for God’s approval; you already have it. You don’t have to be perfect. God loves you just as you are. And that love? It’s unshakable, unbreakable, and unstoppable.
When you start embracing His love, you’ll stop chasing after the world’s approval and start walking in peace.
3. You Have a Purpose
God’s Plan for You Is Bigger Than You Think
You weren’t just created to exist; you were created to make a difference.
“For I know the plans I have for you…” Jeremiah 29:11
God has a beautiful plan for your life. He’s placed gifts, dreams, and talents inside you that will bless the world. Even when you don’t know what the future holds, you can trust the One who holds it.
Start by using your gifts to serve others, encouraging your friends, or helping at church. You’ll be surprised how much purpose you find in everyday moments.
4. You Can Overcome Insecurity and Comparison
Confidence Begins with Truth
It’s easy to scroll through social media and feel like you don’t measure up. But God never asked you to be someone else. He asked you to be the exact person He created.
Comparison steals joy. But truth brings freedom:
- You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
- God doesn’t make mistakes, and He didn’t start with you.
- You are enough because Jesus is enough.
Instead of comparing, start celebrating who you are. And when those insecure thoughts pop up, fight them with God’s Word.
5. Live Like You Know Who You Are
Identity in Action
Knowing your identity in Christ isn’t just about believing it; it’s about living it out every day.
Here’s how:
- Reflect Christ in your words, actions, and decisions.
- Choose friends who build you up and point you to Jesus.
- Make choices that align with your faith, even when it’s hard.
Your identity isn’t just a label; it’s a lifestyle. The more you walk in God’s truth, the more confident, kind, and bold you’ll become.
Final Thoughts: You Are God’s Masterpiece
You don’t need to be anyone else.
You don’t need to prove yourself.
You don’t need to wait to grow up before God can use you.
You are special. You are chosen. You are enough.
So walk confidently. Trust God’s plan. Love others deeply. And never forget your identity is in Christ, and that makes you unstoppable.
Are you ready to fully embrace who God made you to be?
Let’s walk this faith journey together. You were made for it!
💬 Want to share this with your preteen?
Print it out, talk about it during family devotion time, or use it as a journaling prompt to help them grow deeper in faith and confidence.
