What IS

gracious parenting?

Parenting is a rollercoaster filled with highs of joy, celebration, and
gratitude as well as lows of frustration, exhaustion, and
discouragement. I always say, “Everything great you have ever heard
about parenting is true! And everything terrible you have ever heard
about parenting is also true!” There is nothing quite like being a parent
that brings out the best in you and the worst, sometimes within a split
second!

The privilege and challenge of raising children to be responsible adults

is not to be taken lightly, and we all need help along the way. The goal
of Gracious Parenting is to come alongside parents to encourage,
equip, and support them with practical tools and new insights.

Whether it is dinnertime hassles, backtalk, homework, sibling fighting,
or irresponsibility – parenting provides continual challenges.


Gracious Parenting is an experience designed to help us navigate the challenges of
parenting while building up the relationship with our kids, offering
practical tools we can use everyday, and providing encouragement for
the whole family. 

Parenting happens in real life, not theory, so this class centers on

specific and experiential content. Through an interactive and fun
educational model we tackle real-life, everyday challenges and
situations.

Topics covered include; a new look at misbehavior,
understanding your own parenting style and what pushes your buttons,
how to be kind and firm, the power of encouragement, logical
consequences, solving problems together, and family meetings.


Registration will be available one month before each Gracious Parenting Event.

I’m pretty busy parenting and stuff, and this sounds long…

The class is a day and a half for a lifetime of helpful tools (pretty good deal!), and there is lots of variation in the format from teaching, small group processing, hands on learning – the time flies and is enjoyable.


Again, I’m much too busy of a parent to give up a whole weekend. 

I believe you, but you simply can’t afford not to take this class.  Parenting, like any skill requires more than on the job training. The weekend is faster and more fun than reading a bunch of parenting books by yourself! We’ve done the work for you. Sounds like a time-saver to me.


Well, is there food?

Yup. Dinner is provided Friday night. Saturday includes breakfast, snacks, and lunch. Oh, and coffee…lots and lots of coffee.


What is the experience like?  What should I expect?

A casual environment where you will get to know other parents, learn and try on new parenting tools, learn how Jesus instructs us to make disciples (of our children), share honestly, and have fun!


Is this Biblical?

Gracious Parenting is a combination of Biblical teaching as well as practical parenting tools. We look to Jesus to understand what it means to be gracious and how to make disciples of our children – the primary task of parenting. 


Do I have to attend The Well, or be a Christian to attend?

While Gracious Parenting is Jesus-centered, all are welcomed. We all need help as parents.  


Be honest, are you going to tell me not to spank?

No, the Gracious Parenting weekend is more about guidelines than rules. We are not here to tell you what to do, but rather to think through how you want to parent. No tool is off-limits, however we work together to think creatively about all of the options available to us and when best to use each tool.


Is there childcare?

Childcare will be available for an additional small fee. We provide the fun and the snacks, you pack their lunch.

FAQ

FAQ

Do I need to be there for the whole weekend?

Yes this is highly recommended!  Each part builds off the last, you don’t want to miss a thing!


Do I have to have a “problem” child?

Absolutely not.  All children pose unique challenges of their own and the class provides an opportunity to work through your current parenting situation.


Will I be judged as a parent?

No perfect parents allowed here.  We’re all in this together.  You’ll find an encouraging environment to share honestly and work toward solutions.


Should both my spouse and I attend?

Yes, if at all possible we highly recommend it.  


What if I am a single parent or have a non-traditional family?

All are welcome.  Single parents, grandparents, guardians, blended families – the content of the class is helpful for all families.


Are my kids too young?  How about too old?

The tools we discuss are for all ages, yet the application changes with age, so we divide the groups into about 10 parents each based on the ages of the children [0-5, elementary, tweens and teens].


I’m sold!  How do I sign up?

Click HERE to register!