Stories That Help Our Children Know Who They Are
Some days it feels like our kids are growing up in a very different world than the one we knew. A louder, faster world. A world constantly telling them who they should be.
And if we’re honest as parents, that can feel a little heavy because we know our children don’t just need entertainment. At the end of the day, every parent wants their child to grow up knowing exactly who they are and where they belong.
Children need truth. They need stories that remind them who they are and why they were made.
The Battle Over Identity Starts Early
Children today are being discipled by stories everywhere.
Books. Screens. Advertisements. Social media.
Every one of them is quietly answering the same questions:
Who am I?
Why am I here?
What makes me valuable?
If we don’t help shape those answers, the culture gladly will.
As Christian parents, we know our children’s identity doesn’t come from popularity, talent, or performance. Their identity begins with a much deeper truth:
They are created by God, loved by Him, and made for a purpose.
Helping our kids anchor their hearts in that truth is one of the most important things we do as parents.
Freedom Doesn’t Mean Doing Whatever You Want
The word freedom gets used a lot today, but many times the message behind it sounds more like:
“Be whoever you want.”
“Define your own truth.”
“Follow your feelings.”
That kind of freedom sounds exciting on the surface, but it can leave children feeling confused and unsure of where they belong. Real freedom is something much deeper. It comes from knowing who made you and why you were made.
If we’re honest, even many adults wrestle to understand their identity. So what a gift it is if we can give our children a head start, helping them grow up knowing they were created by God, loved by Him, and made for a purpose.
When children understand that their identity begins with Christ, something beautiful happens. They can grow into the person God designed them to be. And as parents, we have the privilege of helping plant those truths in their hearts early.
Stories Shape How Children See the World
That’s one reason stories matter so much in our home.
Stories help children imagine courage, see perseverance, and understand who they are when life feels uncertain.
At Pathfinder Press, our family believes storytelling is more than creativity. It’s discipleship.
We want families to tell stories that point children toward truth and create space for conversations about identity, faith, and purpose. Stories stay with children in ways lectures rarely do.
The Story Behind Made to Fly Free
The idea for Made to Fly Free actually began with a real moment in our backyard.
One summer, our kids noticed what looked like a mama bird teaching her baby to fly. They named the little bird Little Peep, and before long we were all watching what we called “flight lessons.”
That simple moment eventually grew into the story that became this book.
If you’d like to read the full story behind it, I shared it in last week’s post:
→ The Story Behind Made to Fly Free
Raising Kids Who Know Who They Are
When I began writing Made to Fly Free, I kept thinking about something Dave and I remind ourselves:
We’re not just raising good kids. We’re raising future adults who know who they belong to and what they were made for.
That kind of confidence can’t come from the world. It grows through truth and encouragement. It comes from families who take the time to speak life and nurture courage in their children.
Stories can help plant those seeds.
Why This Book Feels Timely
Made to Fly Free isn’t just a sweet story about a little bird.
It’s a story about courage, growth, identity, and learning to take the next step when something feels a little scary.
And in a time when many children feel pressure to figure out life on their own, stories like this can create space for deeper conversations.
The story itself doesn’t spell out big life lessons. But it gives parents an opportunity to talk with their children about courage, purpose, and the One who made them.
Sometimes a simple story becomes the starting point for meaningful conversations about identity, faith, and trusting God with the life He has given us.
A Small Invitation
If you’re someone who cares about the stories shaping your children’s hearts, I’d love for you to take a look at Made to Fly Free.
Preorders are currently open, and every early order helps us bring this message to more families.
You can learn more about the book here:
And if you’re a parent who has ever felt a quiet nudge to write stories of your own, I hope this encourages you.
Your family’s story matters.
And our children need more stories rooted in truth.
