Online Resources

www.commonsensemedia.org If you can download it, play it, listen to it or watch it, then Common Sense Media has a family minded review for it.  They even have convenient Iphone and Android apps to quickly look something up.  

http://www.readyclickgrowyourfamily.com/   It's as simple as click and grow your family through a variety of quick, easy faith activities; choose from faith sparkers, family faith adventures, memory makers, talk teasers, mealtime, fun and games and just for grandparents.  

www.parentfurther.com  ParentFurther (Search Institute) gives simple, ordinary parenting tips and advice for a multitude of situations families find themselves in.  The site provides solid, encouraging advice through focusing on what's right with kids (and parents) and not what's wrong.   Subscribe to their free enewsletter and get a free family meals toolkit! www.parentfurther.com/resources/enewsletter 

www.stickyfaith.org/parents  Sticky Faith Parents (Fuller Youth Institute) is designed for parents of kids of any age who are concerned about how faith is shaping their children’s life and what will happen to their faith when they leave home. Through research-based insights and stories from other parents, parents can use the ideas today and in the years to come to help build Sticky Faith in their kids.

www.faith-at-home.com Faith at Home was built by an Episcopal mom who found few faith and parenting resources that fit her spiritual center "in the middle ground" so she created her own website that has tips and ideas for daily life, ideas for Sunday worship with kids and articles on helping kids deal with various life issues. 

http://kidshealth.org/parent/   helpful information for parents AND children about physical and psychological health issues, there is a parent and a child section of the site.

http://www.pbs.org/parents/talkingwithkids/news/  
informative site from PBS on how to talk with kids about what is in the news; gives tips based on age of children.

http://www.thelogosministry.org/heartfelt.html Heartfelt is designed for busy families who want to grow body, mind and spirit, and who want support and encouragement. Also an APP! (family 'round the table)

http://www.onbeing.org/program/spirituality-parenting/230 Listen to a broadcast from NPR's Krista Tippett's series Speaking of Faith as she discusses the Spirituality of Parenting. 

www.Parenting.org The experts at Boys Town; which is one of the largest non-profit child assistance agencies in the country,  provides articles and tips for parenting as well as the ability to ask parenting questions online and search by age or topic.  They even have a national 24/7 hotline parents can call for questions and assistance.

www.cpyu.org Center for Parent-Youth Understanding CPYU is a nonprofit organization that
helps parents understand and respond to the complex world of their children and teens from a distinctively Christian point of view and equips both parents and teens with the tools to respond to these challenges.  At the site, click on "Articles" and then "Parenting" for a large list of helpful articles on various topics.
 
www.zerotothree.org Zero to Three is a national, nonprofit organization the supports parents and professionals in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.  Check out their "Find it Fast" drop down menu for a list of topics and their "Behavior and Development" tab for a wealth of information.

http://thefamilydinnerbook.com/  Great ways to connect with your kids one meal at a time.

http://www.sealpeterandpaul.com/knittedbible.html  Love to knit?  Here are some great ideas and patterns for knitting Bible figures that you can use for storytelling with your children!

click here for a description of "What to Expect of Tweens"

Internet Safety - click here for parent resources on internet safety for children and youth.  

For Parents of Tweens:

click here to read "How Not to Embarrass Your Tween!" 

Click here for important internet/cell phone safety for tweens. 

http://www.scarymommy.com/multiple-personalities/  Humorous article on the multiple personalities of a tween girl.
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http://www.tweenparent.com/ An abundance of articles dealing with tween life.

Discover the wealth of resources and activities at:

Vibrant Faith @ home is designed to give unlimited access to easy-to-use tools, tips, family activities, blogs, forums and advice- everything you need to build a stronger, more faith-focused family.  They have a free app for smartphones too!

Smartphone Apps

* 3 minute Retreat - A quick way to take a prayer break during the day using your smartphone!

* Vibrant Faith @ home - A great app that provides activities, articles and resources for parents, families, child and teens.

 * Faith Talk - Fun conversations starters for families and friends that have a deeper purpose of strengthening relationships, exploring meaningful rituals and creating sacred spaces to explore faith.

*Bible—Among the numerous scripture apps, the one simply titled “Bible” is one of the best of the bunch. This free app allows you to read through dozens of translations, set up a personalized reading plan, bookmark passages and post verses directly to your Twitter or Facebook account.

​*A Year with the Church Fathers - Scripture, readings from great saints of the past (like Irenaus, Augustine, and Gregory), prayers and reflections. Android / iPhone

*C.S. Lewis Quotes - Pithy phrases to ponder from one of the 20th century's greatest apologists (and an Anglican, too!),Christianity. Android / iPhone ($.99 for iPhone)

* ‘Family 'round the Table’  app guides parents in the creation of a meal, craft or game, Bible study and worship activity that are thematically linked to support the spiritual development of young children. 

*DAILY OFFICE (aka Morning/Evening Prayer, Breviary, Divine Office, etc.)

*Mission St. Clare - Daily Office, morning and evening prayer including Scriptures, prayers, creeds, and hymns from BCP . Android / iPhone 

* Glenstal Abbey - Daily Prayers, chant, quotes from the Rule of St. Benedict, and news/info from the Glenstal Abbey. Android / iPhone

*iBCP—For just under five dollars, you never need to be without your Book of Common Prayer again. 

*Lectionary—For Episcopalians, this app is well worth the 99 cent price tag. Read and pray with the Collect and scripture lessons for the Daily Office and the upcoming Sunday service.

BLOG

http://www.clergyconfidential.com/  Clergy Family Confidential: Findin God in Domestic Chaos is written by Fr. Tim Schenck, an Episcopal priest who lives with his wife, two sons a ferret and a dog  and provides lots of comical material for his lighthearted blog. 

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