Feeling passionate about parenting? If you’d genuinely like a shot in the arm for your parenting, perhaps these questions can get you started. But remember (overachievers beware!): Their effectiveness is proportional to your level of honesty, humility—and most of all, dependence on God’s power to make His presence a reality in your children’s lives. It is He who is the Potter and Giver of all things good and perfect.

  1. What are the most significant cravings of each of my kids’ hearts? (For more thoughts on this, click here.)
  3. When I’m honest, what top five values are most compelling for me to instill in my children? (“For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.”) Would those line up with the top five values God would want my children to have?
  4. What are each of my children’s greatest strengths, and greatest weaknesses?
  8. How do I believe other people see each of my children? How do I feel about that? What portion of others’ opinions could I learn from, and which should I set aside?
  9. Are my children developing more into givers than takers?
  11. What are the most impacting events on the timeline of my children’s lives?
  12. In what ways have my children exceeded my expectations?
  13. Do I have any expectations of my children that have become demands—which I clutch out of fear—rather than hopes—which I seek from God by faith?
  14. In what ways do I feel disappointed by my children? What can I learn from this (for example, about what is valuable to me, about how God has made my children, about loving as God loves, etc.)? What should I do about this in the future?
  16. In what ways are my children totally unlike me?
  19. In what areas are my children most vulnerable?
  20. What do I love about my kids? About being a mom?
  21. How well do my husband and I work as a team in our parenting?
  25. Who are the other influential people in my kids’ lives? Are there friends, teachers, coaches, etc., I can pray for who will complement my parenting and my kids’ needs?
  26. Am I replenishing myself and taking adequate rests, so that my children see the gospel work of grace, patience, and peace at work in my home?
  27. What are each of my kids passionate about? How can I spur on and develop their God-given passions? (For more ideas, click here.)