A January 2023 Pew Research Center report on parenting found that 80% of moms and dads said parenting was “rewarding” all or most of the time, with 82% saying it was “enjoyable.” Even so, 41% said parenting was “tiring” all or most of the time and 29% “stressful.”

The report, which came out toward the end of the COVID pandemic, identified child mental health as a key concern. Forty percent of parents were “extremely” worried, and 36% “somewhat” worried, that their children would struggle with anxiety or depression, for example.

Violence was another concern. In decreasing order, parents were “extremely” or “somewhat” worried that their children would experience bullying (74%), kidnapping (59%), physical attacks (57%), or gun violence (45%).

Most parents hoped their children would achieve financial independence, enjoy their jobs, go to college, and get married and have children. Ninety-four percent thought it was “extremely” or “very” important for their kids to be “honest and ethical.”

Parenting in America is both rewarding and difficult, both worrisome and hopeful.

Interestingly, however, fewer parents placed a high value on their children practicing religion. Only 35% said it was “extremely” or “very” important for children to share their religious beliefs. The exceptions to this were white evangelicals (70%) and Black Protestants (53%).

The statistical picture then, is this: Parenting in America is both rewarding and difficult, both worrisome and hopeful.

The Assemblies of God launched the Ignite Parenting Initiative during 2024 to resource Christian parents for this both/and journey of raising kids. Over half of AG adherents are under age 35; 20% are 18–35 years old; and 31% under 18. This is a prime age range for young families.

The mission of Ignite Parenting is “Empowering and equipping parents and caregivers, as well as supporting the local church to transmit their faith to the next generation.” While faith-transmission is the topline goal, helping parents and other caregivers raise happy, healthy kids are also very important.

To help parents achieve these goals, Ignite Parenting offers a number of resources that can be accessed at IgniteParenting.com:

• Podcast. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, the Ignite Podcast presents coffee-table conversations with subject-matter experts to help par-ents lay a foundation of faith with their kids.
• Free Resources. This includes both Digital Downloads and Training Courses for parents, caregivers, and church leaders. Forthcoming Digital Downloads include a Family Planning Calendar to make sure parents and kids make the most of key moments in life, as well as Family Fun Experiences, a digital download to help families and churches strengthen the parent-child bond.
• Blog. The articles on the Your Partners in Parenting blog offer biblically grounded practical tips to help parents address everyday issues with their kids.
• Conversation Cards. Available for purchase at the website’s store, these cards include a question, faith builder statement, and Bible verse to spark meaningful conversations among your family members.
• Open When … Books. Combining sound theology with good social science, these short books address specific moments of parental concern, such as the needs of foster and adopted kids; the transition from childhood to adolescence; concerns about sexuality, gender, and identity; development stages; and trauma.

The first book in the series is titled Open When … Parenting through Foster and Adoption. Contributors are ministers, professional counselors, and laypeople with professional expertise in ministry to foster and adopted kids. They include leaders in the AG’s COMPACT Family Services ministry as well as the AG Foster Care Network.

As a foster-to-adoptive parent who is also a minister, I found the advice in this book was faithful to Scripture but also true to experience. The abuse and neglect that results in kids being placed in the foster care system present unique challenges to foster and adoptive parents. I wish this book had been around when my wife and I became licensed foster parents in 2013!

Ignite Parenting launched in 2024, but resources will be added regularly during 2025 and the years to come. Make sure to subscribe to the Ignite Podcast and check in regularly at IgniteParenting.com!

This article first appeared in the Winter 2025 issue of Called to Serve, the minister’s letter of the Assemblies of God.