Coach’s Corner 27: What Parents Really Want

What if the biggest thing parents want from us is to know they belong?

When I listen to parents—really listen—I hear something deeper than frustration about busy schedules or kids who can’t sit still at Mass. I hear an ache. Parents want to engage. They want their kids to love the faith. They want to grow spiritually themselves. But so many of them carry this quiet fear that they or their kids don’t quite fit in. And honestly? I’ve felt that myself. In sports leagues and school activities, parents often feel more welcomed, more supported, more seen than they do at church. That should get our attention.

In this episode, I walk through new data from nearly 200 school and religious‑ed families across our archdiocese—and the message is striking. Parents aren’t uninterested. They’re not disengaged because they don’t care. Most are hungry for community, for guidance, for help passing on the faith… but they feel unsure, overwhelmed, or out of place. And the good news? We can do something about that. It starts with listening—really listening—so we can respond not with frustration, but with empathy, clarity, and hope.

If you’ve ever wondered how to genuinely draw parents into the heart of parish life, this episode will encourage you. Give it a listen.

[00:34] Understanding What Parents Want
[03:40] Survey Insights: Why Parents Skip Parish Events
[05:41] Challenges of Taking Kids to Mass
[07:00] Biggest Challenges in Passing on Faith
[08:15] Parents’ Needs for Faith Development
[09:14] If Parents Had More Time
[11:14] The Importance of Listening to Parents
[12:38] Closing Thoughts and Prayer

Take a deeper dive into the survey data! And check out our Listening Circle Guide.

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Jim Jansen – Director of the Parish Support Team, Archdiocese of Omaha