Your Child Is Entering the Teen Years - And This Stage Matters
The transition into adolescence can feel overwhelming, but it’s also full of opportunities to build a stronger relationship with you child. Launch Into the Teen Years equips you with the clarity, confidence, and faith you need to guide your child well and make the most of this pivotal season of your child’s life.
Designed for parents to engage intentionally with their 8–12-year-old, this experience helps you start meaningful conversations before the teen years begin.
If You’re Feeling Unsure, You’re Not Alone
Launch Into the Teen Years includes a Parent’s Guide, Teen Journal, Anatomy Booklet, and QR code linked to engaging videos developed by Focus on the Family parenting experts.
These resources will help you and your child walk through six sessions addressing what he or she needs to have a successful adolescence, including the topics of:
- Identity in Christ
- Peer relationships and dating
- Bullies and criticism
- A Christian worldview on gender/sex
- The physical changes of puberty
- God’s loving design for our sexuality
Going Through the Teen Years with Multiple Children?
Do you plan to go through Launch Into the Teen Years with more than one of your children? Then we’ve got you covered!
Simply purchase additional Teen Journals as a supplement to the full kit.
How Launch Into the Teen Years Works
You can start immediately and return as often as needed throughout this season with your child.
We recommend:
1. Access the Launch Into the Teen Years experience
2. Watch the videos at your own pace
3. Reflect using the tools and prompts provided
4. Begin conversations and practices that set direction early
What Families Are Saying
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this resource right for my child’s age?
Based on research and professional experience, Launch into the Teen Yearsis designed for children between 8 and 12 years old. It’s never too early to prepare your preteen for adolescence,especially with all the physical, mental, and emotional changes your child will go through. Just make sure to consider your preteen’s unique emotional and relational development before you start.
What topics does Launch Into the Teen Years cover?
This resource addresses the physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual changes common in the teen years. Topics include communication, identity, growing independence, faith development, boundaries, and strengthening your relationship with your teen—all with a focus on understanding what’s happening and how to respond well.
How detailed is the information on puberty, anatomy, and sexual topics?
Multiple sessions cover things like puberty and sexual anatomy in-depth. However, Launch focuses on providing a healthy biblical foundation, so this information is provided with God’s truth in mind. Multiple Launch sessions contain direct and indirect discussions addressing sexual intercourse. Specifically, there is one session about God’s design for sexual intercourse between one male and one female within the context of marriage. Additionally, there are specific breakout sessions for “only boys” and “only girls” that parents can discuss with their preteen.
How much time should I take to go through this content with my child?
Launch into the Teen Years’ content was designed to be flexible, so you can use it in a way that suits your family’s needs. There are six segments of content, and each segment discusses different topics in depth. You can cover sections on your own timetable based on your child’s development and experiences. You may decide to discuss some topics immediately and save other topics for a later discussion. You can also consider your relationship with your child, as well as the time you have available as you determine how much content to cover in each sitting.
How is this different from other teen parenting resources?
Launch Into the Teen Years combines practical insight with a trusted, Christ-centered perspective. Built on Focus on the Family’s decades of experience, it goes beyond quick tips to help you build understanding, confidence, and a strong foundation for the years ahead.
Is this resource faith-based?
A Christian worldview is the central foundation for all content within Launch. You and your preteen will discuss specific issues within the culture, but the culture does not provide the content. Sessions emphasize biblical principles with a culturally relevant perspective. This will help effectively prepare your preteen for the adolescent years.
What if my teen resists guidance or faith conversations?
Resistance is common in the teen years—and you’re not alone. This resource acknowledges that reality and offers tools to help you stay connected, communicate calmly, and keep the relationship strong. Even small, consistent steps can make a meaningful difference.