Parenting Help
How to Build a Support Network as a Christian Parent
Parenthood is a journey that transforms our lives in unexpected ways. In a recent interview with Family Life Radio, Tasha Layton shared how becoming a parent has deepened her understanding of community and the importance of support.
The Hidden Army of Support
“When you have a baby, you have this immediate, hidden army … people that when you are carrying a stroller and a backpack and a suitcase through an airport, someone is going to stop to open the door for you,” Tasha says, reflecting on the unseen network of support that emerges when you become a parent.
Whether it’s another mom helping you through an airport or a fellow parent offering a kind gesture, this “underground army” of support is a beautiful reminder of God’s provision through others.
Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (NIV). Embrace this support, knowing that God often works through the people around you.
When family isn’t nearby, your community becomes your lifeline. Tasha shares, “We were so dependent upon our community group at church.”
During times when her husband was away on tour, her church community stepped in to help, even being present in the labor room. It’s important to stay connected and involved in your church.
Learn to Ask for Help
Tasha admits, “I have really, truly learned to depend on people and accept help and say yes, and also ask for when I need it.”
Allow others the opportunity to reflect Christ’s love.
It can be challenging to ask for help, fearing it may make us seem needy. However, reaching out is a sign of strength and an acknowledgment that we need each other. By doing so, you allow others the opportunity to serve and reflect Christ’s love.
Pay It Forward
Once you’ve received help, be ready to give back. Tasha reflects, “I’m taking meals, I’m babysitting … I’m helping now too.”
Reciprocity not only strengthens community bonds but also mirrors the love of Christ through service to others. Galatians 6:2 urges us to, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ” (NLT).
By paying it forward, you contribute to a cycle of support and love within your community.
Ever-changing Support Needs
“As they grow, the help is just the same, but it’s just different,” Tasha explains, noting how the type of support needed changes as your children grow from infants to teenagers.
Recognize this shift and be open to the changing dynamics of the help you offer and receive. Whether it’s physical assistance when they’re young or mental and emotional support as they grow, being adaptable and willing to meet these needs is crucial.
Face the Challenges Together
Parenting is full of challenges, from sleepless nights with infants to the “psychological warfare” of parenting teenagers, as Tasha humorously describes. Facing these challenges with the support of your community can make them more manageable and remind you that you’re not alone.
Lean on your faith and the people God has placed in your life to walk this journey with you.
God is with you throughout parenthood, providing strength through the people He places in your life.
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