Order Amid the Chaos
In a world of infinite possibilities, it can be infinitely challenging for parents to figure out which tools and resources to trust. The Ridge Family Team is here to bring order to the chaos with our picks for parenting resources that have been tried and tested by fellow Ridge parents. Whether you’re looking for books, podcasts, educational websites, or a Christian counselor, we’ve got you covered with 10 (ish) trusted resources in each category.
Resources
Books for Parents
1. Parenting with Love and Logic
2. The Five Love Languages of Children
3. The Five Love Languages of Teenagers
4. Tough Guys & Drama Queens: How Not to Get Blindsided by Your Child’s Teen Years
5. Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family
6. The Art of Parenting: Aiming Your Child’s Heart Toward God
7. Are My Kids on Track? The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach
8. Bringing Up Girls
9. Bringing Up Boys
10. Have a New Kid by Friday
11. 8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids
12. Parenting Beyond Your Capacity
13. Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys
14. The Love Dare for Parents
15. Strong and Kind: Raising Kids of Character
16. God’s Design for Sex (four book series) by Stan and Brenna Jones
2. The Five Love Languages of Children
3. The Five Love Languages of Teenagers
4. Tough Guys & Drama Queens: How Not to Get Blindsided by Your Child’s Teen Years
5. Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family
6. The Art of Parenting: Aiming Your Child’s Heart Toward God
7. Are My Kids on Track? The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach
8. Bringing Up Girls
9. Bringing Up Boys
10. Have a New Kid by Friday
11. 8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids
12. Parenting Beyond Your Capacity
13. Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys
14. The Love Dare for Parents
15. Strong and Kind: Raising Kids of Character
16. God’s Design for Sex (four book series) by Stan and Brenna Jones
Bibles (Kids)
1. The Family Bible Devotional (All ages)
2. The Rhyme Bible (Infant to 2 years)
3. Read Aloud Bible Stories (Infants to 3 years)
4. The Biggest Story ABC (Infant to 4 years)
5. Read with me Bible (Ages 4–6)
6. The Big Picture Story Bible (Ages 3-7)
7. Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids (Ages 4-8)
8. The Jesus Story Book Bible (Ages 4-8)
9. The Action Bible (Ages 5-11)
10. The Adventure Bible (Ages 8-11)
11. NIV Ultimate Bible for Girls (Girls ages 8-12)
2. The Rhyme Bible (Infant to 2 years)
3. Read Aloud Bible Stories (Infants to 3 years)
4. The Biggest Story ABC (Infant to 4 years)
5. Read with me Bible (Ages 4–6)
6. The Big Picture Story Bible (Ages 3-7)
7. Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids (Ages 4-8)
8. The Jesus Story Book Bible (Ages 4-8)
9. The Action Bible (Ages 5-11)
10. The Adventure Bible (Ages 8-11)
11. NIV Ultimate Bible for Girls (Girls ages 8-12)
Bibles (Teens)
1. Any New Living Translation (NLT) Bible
2. NIV Bible for Teen Guys
3. NIV Bible for Teen Girls
4. NIV Thinline Bible for Teens
5. NIV Quest Study Bible for Teens
2. NIV Bible for Teen Guys
3. NIV Bible for Teen Girls
4. NIV Thinline Bible for Teens
5. NIV Quest Study Bible for Teens
Online Resources
1. Minno (Video streaming)
2. Homeword (Multimedia parenting resources)
3. Focus on the Family (Multimedia parenting resources)
4. Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (Relating to youth culture)
5. iMOM (Ideas, insight and inspiration for moms)
6. All Pro Dad (Ideas, insight and inspiration for dads)
7. Love and Logic (Tools and techniques for parent/child relationship-building)
8. Christian Parenting (Tailored guidance for multiple family types)
9. Desiring God (Not parenting but discipleship-focused from John Piper)
10. Crosswalk (Online magazine with content on Christian parenting)
11. Axis (Tools for navigating difficult parent-child conversations and culture issues)
12. Parenting with Promise (from Ridge University)
2. Homeword (Multimedia parenting resources)
3. Focus on the Family (Multimedia parenting resources)
4. Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (Relating to youth culture)
5. iMOM (Ideas, insight and inspiration for moms)
6. All Pro Dad (Ideas, insight and inspiration for dads)
7. Love and Logic (Tools and techniques for parent/child relationship-building)
8. Christian Parenting (Tailored guidance for multiple family types)
9. Desiring God (Not parenting but discipleship-focused from John Piper)
10. Crosswalk (Online magazine with content on Christian parenting)
11. Axis (Tools for navigating difficult parent-child conversations and culture issues)
12. Parenting with Promise (from Ridge University)
Devotionals
1. Mighty Acts of God (Good for kids 6 years and up)
2. Exploring Grace Together (Good for elementary-aged kids)
3. One Year of Dinner Table Devotions & Discussion Starters (For families with upper elementary-aged kids and teens)
2. Exploring Grace Together (Good for elementary-aged kids)
3. One Year of Dinner Table Devotions & Discussion Starters (For families with upper elementary-aged kids and teens)
Counseling Services
1. Emily Murphy (Children’s Therapist)
2. Shelly Stewart-Sandusky (Parenting and Marriage Therapist)
3. Andrea Gustafson (Personal Therapist)
4. Team Restoration (Family, Teen, Children’s and Parents Counselors)
5. David Kaptain (Addiction and Mental Health Counselor)
6. Deb Gipple (Family Legacy Counselor)
2. Shelly Stewart-Sandusky (Parenting and Marriage Therapist)
3. Andrea Gustafson (Personal Therapist)
4. Team Restoration (Family, Teen, Children’s and Parents Counselors)
5. David Kaptain (Addiction and Mental Health Counselor)
6. Deb Gipple (Family Legacy Counselor)
Parenting of a Prodigal
1. Prodigals and Those Who Love Them – Ruth Bell Graham
2. Rebel With A Cause – Franklin Graham
3. When I Lay My Isaac Down – Carol Kent
4. Shadow Boxing – Henry Malone
5. The Broken Image – Leanne Payne
6. Steps to Freedom in Christ – Neil Anderson
7. Out of A Far Country – Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan
8. Gay Girl Good God – Jackie Hill Perry
9. In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart – Ruth Graham
10. When You Love a Prodigal – Judy Douglass
2. Rebel With A Cause – Franklin Graham
3. When I Lay My Isaac Down – Carol Kent
4. Shadow Boxing – Henry Malone
5. The Broken Image – Leanne Payne
6. Steps to Freedom in Christ – Neil Anderson
7. Out of A Far Country – Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan
8. Gay Girl Good God – Jackie Hill Perry
9. In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart – Ruth Graham
10. When You Love a Prodigal – Judy Douglass
Misc.
1. Follow Raising Boys and Girls on Instagram
2. Follow Sissy Goff on Instagram
3. YouVersion Holy Bible App
4.Family Life Today App
5. Passport2Purity: A getaway kit that equips you to cover what can seem like awkward topics in a fun and engaging way
6. Right Now Media
7. Worship Songs for Kids (Youtube)
8. HangTime Activity Cards
9. Talicor Family Games
10. Our Moments Family Game
2. Follow Sissy Goff on Instagram
3. YouVersion Holy Bible App
4.Family Life Today App
5. Passport2Purity: A getaway kit that equips you to cover what can seem like awkward topics in a fun and engaging way
6. Right Now Media
7. Worship Songs for Kids (Youtube)
8. HangTime Activity Cards
9. Talicor Family Games
10. Our Moments Family Game
Need Something Else?
Sometimes, you just need to commiserate or connect with other parents who have been through similar circumstances. If this is you, we hope you’ll reach out to Family Ministries Director Doug Applegate or contact via phone at 515-205-7070.
He can connect you to parents who are willing to give advice, share their own stories, or simply listen or pray with you. You are not alone.
(Note: These parents are not counselors. If your situation would benefit from professional help, please consult the Christian Counselor’s list above.)
Here are some topics that other Ridge parents have experienced and would be willing to support you with:
Addiction, Adoption, Anxiety, Chronic Illnesses, Depression, Divorce, Financial Stress, Foster Care, LGBTQ+,
Life Transitions (kids growing up, moving on, etc.), Loss of Parent or Spouse, Medical Illnesses, Pornography, PTSD, Special Needs Children, Step Families, Suicide
He can connect you to parents who are willing to give advice, share their own stories, or simply listen or pray with you. You are not alone.
(Note: These parents are not counselors. If your situation would benefit from professional help, please consult the Christian Counselor’s list above.)
Here are some topics that other Ridge parents have experienced and would be willing to support you with:
Addiction, Adoption, Anxiety, Chronic Illnesses, Depression, Divorce, Financial Stress, Foster Care, LGBTQ+,
Life Transitions (kids growing up, moving on, etc.), Loss of Parent or Spouse, Medical Illnesses, Pornography, PTSD, Special Needs Children, Step Families, Suicide