Helping Kids Navigate Why

Welcome to another episode of the Free for the Fruit podcast!

In this week's episode, host Jill Simons dives deep into a topic that resonates with many parents: helping children navigate situations where it's hard to understand why things happen the way they do. The episode offers guidance and tools for parents striving to imbue their children with hope and trust in the midst of uncertainty.

For both adults and children, understanding why certain things happen is a common struggle. Jill emphasizes the importance of developing trust and hope in God, even when answers are elusive.

As parents, it is so valuable to model holy habits for our kids, but we have to strike a balance between being vulnerable with our children and maintaining appropriate boundaries. There's a risk in being too vulnerable. Sharing too much information or emotion can make children feel responsible for regulating these feelings—something they are not equipped to handle.

Instead, Jill encourages parents to discern what appropriate vulnerability looks like. Communicating that you, too, are feeling confused or overwhelmed, but that you are choosing to trust in God can be incredibly powerful. This sets an example for children to follow, showing them how to orient their own feelings of doubt and anxiety towards a posture of hope and trust.

Before we as parents can model trustful behavior, it is important to do our own internal work—reflecting on what trust and hope look like in our lives. By doing so, parents can better share these insights with their children. Jill suggests that parents communicate not only their feelings but also the actions they are taking to keep anchored in their faith.

Giving children a biblical foundation and explaining that God is always in control, regardless of circumstances, provides them with the stability they need. It’s about pointing back to Jesus and the resurrection, reminding them that evil never has the final say.

Lastly, hot take, parents are not their children's saviors. Jesus Christ is the only savior who will never let them down. This can be a painful realization for many parents, who naturally want to shield their children from all harm. However, accepting this truth allows parents to let go and trust God’s hand in their children’s lives.

Need some help connecting your children with God? Try truthbands. Developed by Pink Salt Riot, these bands provide a physical touchstone for children, featuring messages that they can cling to during moments of fear or uncertainty. Whether it's anxiety about fitting in or worries about a family member's safety, these bands offer a tangible reminder of the truths parents want to instill.

All in all, while tools like truthbands can be beneficial, the ultimate goal is to cultivate a disposition of hope and trust in both parents and children. By being faithful and obedient in their roles, parents can entrust their children to God’s good and saving hands. Remember, it's not about having all the answers, but about teaching our kids to navigate life's uncertainties with unwavering hope and trust in Jesus.

For more insights and practical tools, be sure to check out the full episode of Free for the Fruit. Your journey as a parent may be filled with challenges, but with trust and hope rooted in God, you and your children can navigate even the toughest times.