By Anna Hawken, Parenting for Faith

God makes us the most unbelievable offer... to be our parent. Yes, even when we’re all grown up and have children of our own! ‘To all who did receive him [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God’. John 1:12 This is an invitation from God, to you, to be His child. But many of us don’t take up this offer. Or we don't live fully experiencing the connection, guidance and support that He wants to give us. Why? Because we're so busy doing the day-to-day grown upping of looking after everyone else. We've forgotten how to 'live on the child side'.

Everywhere we go, we’re surrounded by symbols. Even the youngest children can recognise the logos of their favourite brands and television shows, and many will recognise the symbols and icons that help us to navigate the digital world. The Christian faith is also full of symbols. For centuries, we have used symbols such as the cross, the dove and the ichthus to share our values and beliefs.

By Janine Parkinson, Scripture Union

I grew up in a volatile home, love was scarce and smacking and shouting was plentiful! I can’t pin all the blame on my parents as my father came from an abusive home; the eldest of six children who then buried his head into the royal marines which left him even harder and unable to show love. My mother was a war baby adopted from birth in 1945 and has suffered with her mental health ever since. So really, circumstances hadn’t been kind to them; both introverts trying to bring me up - an extraverted, touchy feely, desperate for love girl. I probably wasn’t the easiest child to relate to.

by Joanne Gilchrist

"I’ve never been much of a walker but I grew with a youth leader who loved hiking! One day, our youth leader decided we should start prayer-walking round the streets of our home-town on a Friday evening. Great, I thought. Two of my least favourite things - walking and praying aloud. But something amazing happened on those prayer walks and I found my voice. I discovered I could pray in a way I’d never imagined. I prayed with passion, with conviction - in spirit and in truth. What was it that made the difference?"

by Becky Sedgewick, Parenting for Faith

For most of us, our journey of parenthood starts with a tiny person handed to us. And our instinct is to protect them, keep them close and keep them safe from everything.

But we can’t do that. So what we do is to start to equip them to manage being out there in the world. How do we prepare our children when it comes to social media.