Betsy Howard

Jan 7, 2025 | crossway.org | Betsy Howard |Kristen Wetherell

This article is part of the Answering Kids’ Hardest Questions series. Do the Right ThingWhat if my friends tell me to do something that is wrong? I heard someone say it’s never the wrong time to do the right thing. The fact that people you like, who you want to like you, are encouraging you to do something wrong doesn’t make it right to—just this once—do the wrong thing.

Jan 5, 2025 | thegospelcoalition.org | Betsy Howard

As a young child in the early ’80s, I listened to Psalty records as I fell asleep. By the time I was going to school, we had a van with a tape deck and a few favorite tapes we listened to over and over. How times have changed. Smartphones give us us access to a limitless array of audio resources. Even if you can’t afford a subscription to a music streaming service, with a public library card and a smartphone you can access great music, audiobooks, and podcasts.

Nov 30, 2024 | crossway.org | Sarah Walton |Betsy Howard

Is Happiness the Goal? Children today are being raised in a society that perpetually tells them they are meant to be happy and that they should feel free to do whatever feels good to find that elusive happiness. Kids often look for that happiness in trying to be good enough. They tend to seek their purpose in trying to be the best—or at least better than those around them. Or perhaps they seek satisfaction through the coolest toys, best clothes, newest phones, or video games.

Oct 28, 2024 | crossway.org | Sarah Walton |Betsy Howard |Kevin DeYoung

A Gracious HandI watched the minutes tick by as time seemed to move in slow motion. Surrounded by bare white walls and the stench of shame, I sat alone in a hospital room that felt as empty as I did. For years, my hurting and wandering heart had led me far from home, far from the guidance and love of my parents, and far from the wisdom and protection of my Heavenly Father.

Sep 26, 2024 | thegospelcoalition.org | Betsy Howard

When I take my children to the library, they gravitate toward the junk-food version of children’s literature (the sort of thing that British educator Charlotte Mason called “twaddle”). I don’t mind reading a few Paw Patrol board books, but I try to fill our take-home bag with books of greater substance. I look for Caldecott winners. I rely on great book lists and websites like Read-Aloud Revival to find classic picture books my children will love and that I won’t mind reading over and over again.