Self-harm is never just about the behavior. It’s about the belief beneath it.

At Celebrate Kids, we believe boredom can become one of the best teachers in your child’s life. When approached with purpose, boredom helps kids grow in creativity, self-awareness, and even character.

It’s not a made-up story. It’s a growing trend. And it raises a critical question for parents, teachers, and mentors: What are we really teaching our kids about health, discipline, and identity?

As children transition into adolescence, the dynamics of parenting inevitably shift. This stage presents both challenges and opportunities for deeper connections.

Let’s reframe it together. Encouraging your kids to read this summer isn’t just about avoiding the “summer slide” in academics. It’s about helping them slide into wonder, dive into imagination, and explore who they are, one page at a time.

When we pay attention to what naturally lights our kids up, we can help them name those strengths. That “naming” is powerful. A child who hears, “You’re really good at explaining things—have you thought about teaching?” begins to see themselves with purpose.

Have you ever watched your child ask Siri or ChatGPT a question and wondered, “Where are they learning this from?” Whether it’s “What’s the capital of Peru?” or “What is a woman?”, our kids are asking big questions, and often getting answers from voices we didn’t invite into the conversation.

When 50% of teenagers say they feel anxious without their phone, it’s clear we’re not dealing with a casual hobby. For many teens, their smartphone is their connection to the world—a world where being offline can feel like being invisible. This connection may look social, but emotionally, it often leaves them isolated.

As parents and mentors, we can celebrate that deeper question. A “good job” still matters. Work funds groceries, missions trips, and the occasional extra-large pizza can be part of the adulting equation. Yet Scripture reminds us that life is “more than food, and the body more than clothes.” The good life God designed includes purpose, relationships, growth, and joyful service. Our challenge is to help kids see how careers and calling fit together rather than compete.

Ever had one of those moments when your child asked, “How much money do we have?” right in the checkout line… in front of everyone? Or maybe they’ve offered to tip the barista your last $20. Kids and money—funny, curious, and a little nerve-wracking.

Screens are sticky, indoor comforts are cozy, and let’s face it—convincing your kids to choose the backyard over the basement can feel like a losing battle.

You scroll past a post and see it: a teen sharing vague sadness or dramatic frustration. Maybe your own kid has done it. You wonder, Are they okay? Or are they just fishing for attention?

From fairy tales to YouTube shorts to things whispered on the playground, our kids are navigating a world that sometimes blurs fantasy and reality. And as parents, we don’t want to squelch their wonder. But we do want to guide it.

Nature is one of the most powerful environments to awaken a child’s strengths and smarts. It builds self-awareness, fosters problem-solving, and helps kids feel both brave and safe.

Let's talk about the "A" word: Average. No, it’s not a bad word! In fact, embracing the value of average can feel pretty refreshing in our achievement-obsessed world.

Have you ever noticed how a genuine conversation can completely change your day? In a recent podcast, Dr. Kathy Koch pointed out that our kids often label their entire day as "bad," when really, it's just one small moment overshadowing everything else. By guiding our kids into deeper conversations, we help them see their day (and themselves) more clearly and confidently.

Remember the thrill of riding a bike without training wheels, opening the mailbox to find your high-school diploma, or sliding a new driver’s license out of its envelope? Those moments weren’t just picture-worthy—they quietly rewired your brain, nudging you toward maturity and a bigger view of yourself. Today, your kids crave the same “I did it!” spark, and you get to help light the fuse.