Introducing The 7 Pillars of Family Readiness: Becoming the Parent Worth Following
Let’s get this straight right off the bat. I am no one to emulate. I mess up, am exceedingly flawed and imperfect. I am a simple knuckle dragger…
But I want to be better.
I want to be a better dad, a better husband to my wife, a better friend, a better man. A better follower of Christ. And, I know that there are others like me, moms and dads, who want to do, and be better.
Let me give credit where credit is due. I got this from a YouTube comment from a mother named Misha. She said “how do we become parents worth following” or something to that effect. It hit me hard, because, if you are human, a question like that should. I mean, isn’t this the point of parenting?
What To Do?
I don’t know anyone who wants to purposefully mess their kids up. Yes, empirically, I know they are out there, but not in my circle. Not purposefully. But none of us have it all together, and therefore, we all need help on this journey.
So, how do we then? If we are to effectively engage our families to make a difference, how do we become that parent? I’ll use this analogy: Some people think that, before they go to the gym to work out, they need to get in shape before they go to the gym… So they aren’t embarrassed at the condition they show up in.
Ridiculous.
But, here we are, and there are many who reason this way. Stop it. Here’s the quick and dirty solution to getting us on the path we want to be on.
How to Be a Better Parent? One Worth Emulating?
Do it while leading our families better. It is a journey that you must begin now, while you lead them in the change that you all want to see.
See? Simple, not easy.
And, know this. If your spouse and your kiddos see you putting in the work on yourself and becoming a better version while raising the bar for them, they will respect you all the more for it. You will not be a hypocrite in their eyes, but someone worth following.
The Journey We Are Beginning Together
So you ask “Seriously Rick, how are we to do this?” Well, that’s a great question. I have been putting serious thought to this. The bar is currently on the proverbial floor societally, and culturally. In order to raise the bar from the floor, a standard is needed to aspire to. The Bible surely raises the bar, but we need something concise, while being guided by Scriptural direction. I’ve wrestled with this, written, erased, gotten mad, rewritten, and have come up with this:
THE 7 PILLARS OF FAMILY READINESS
Each pillar represents a foundation for raising resilient, faith-rooted families in a chaotic world. These are the unshakable principles guiding all FRP content, courses, and strategy.
1. Family, Fellowship & Common Bonds
Your family, after your faith, must be central to your life. Strong families don’t live in isolation. You need others around you who share your values. This pillar is about building a home culture and surrounding yourself with a real-world community that walks with you. This is the foundation for everything else.
2. Digital Awareness and Defense
Tech isn’t neutral. And the internet isn’t safe just because a filter is on. This pillar equips you to protect your kids online—through both practical safeguards and deeper spiritual clarity. Tech boundaries, device audits, platform threats, algorithm awareness, grooming + soft porn prevention.The digital world is designed to capture minds and shape beliefs. Parents must lead the defense.
3. Family Systems
Build habits, time rhythms, and tech boundaries that unify. Morning routines, screen zones, meal culture, discipline consistency, parent alignment. Chaos thrives without structure. Systems create stability and alignment in values, time, and behavior. A peaceful home doesn’t just appear—it’s built with habits, time rhythms, tech zones, roles, and grace-filled structure. This is where calm replaces chaos.
4. Cultural Discernment
Respond to chaos with truth and peace. Media literacy, worldview clarity, spiritual warfare awareness, engaging culture without being conformed. Culture shapes your kids daily. Discernment equips them to stand firm without isolation or fear. Your kids are being shaped by media, peers, and schools—whether you like it or not. This pillar helps you respond with truth and peace when the world goes sideways.
5. Crisis Readiness
Prepare spiritually + practically for real-world threats. Emergency plans, self-defense, home security, spiritual anchoring in suffering, leading under pressure. The unexpected is coming. Families who prepare in peace lead when others panic. Emergencies reveal our gaps. Whether it’s a digital threat, spiritual battle, or natural disaster, this pillar helps you prepare spiritually and practically for what may come.
6. Legacy & Leadership
Raise strong sons/daughters on mission. Identity formation, rites of passage, mission vision, parent-led classical education, long-term discipleship. Education is not just academic—it’s spiritual. Parents must lead their children to pursue truth and live with purpose, whether they homeschool or not. You are your child’s greatest model. From leading with strength, to guiding their identity, to taking ownership of their education—this pillar helps you raise sons and daughters on mission.
7. Story-Driven Discipleship
Stories shape souls.Teach with stories, scenarios, and lived wisdom. Testimony, real-life examples, family storytelling, case studies, biblical parallels. Stories form beliefs deeper than facts. Discipleship rooted in story builds emotional connection, generational memory, and long-term change. From Scripture to your family’s own history, this pillar helps you teach your children through lived wisdom, real scenarios, and moral clarity that sticks.
Where Now?
Quite a list, eh? It is a path, a trajectory, not an end. Know this: You don’t have to master all seven at once. But if you pick one and take the next step, your family begins to change. Because, we all know that this change is desperately needed.
We need to change as individuals and parents for the better.
Our families need to change if there is to be hope for future generations.
Fellowship and friendship circles need to change if we are to have like minded people we can face this future with, and enact the overall change we want to see.
This is not a movement. This is our movement. Done with excuses. Done with hoping the “experts” will take care of things for us. Done with watching our children change, and grow into people who do not reflect what their created potential as men and women are.
Good parents, raising children with the best chance for a better future.
So, join me. I cannot do any of this without you.
Welcome to the Family Readiness Project.
P.S. IF you would be interested in recognizing the signs and threats, and a step by step plan for combating digital influences, please click here to get information on our upcoming Digital Discernment Course.
