Deuteronomy 6 is so practical when it comes to parenting. It reminds us that making impressions on our children is a long journey of many faithful steps. At most, we remember back to 2 generations (our grandparents). The impact of their decisions are ones we witness or hear stories about: Grandma’s determination to sew all the clothes for her children, Grandpa’s ability to fix everything. Each generation impresses upon the…
Are we having fun yet? From the expressions on your face throughout the day, do your children know that you are GLAD to be their parent? During the middle-of-the-night feedings, temper tantrums, flu, homework, dance recital, and baseball season, we forget that there is JOY in parenthood. We forget the miracle of how we waited so long (and thought it might never happen) for this little baby to come into…
Teen – it is a small number, but so complex! When our children hit their teenage years, it is natural for them to want to make their own decisions and think for himself while rejecting the opinions of mom and dad. They possess a natural curiosity and belief in invincibility which makes them passionate about ideas and courageous risk-takers. On the flip-side, it can make parents experience some emotional whiplash…
Oh, the adventurous child! Pushing the limits . . . coloring outside the lines . . . challenging the rules . . . extreme tears . . . extreme laughter. The parental gasp is filled with fear, anger, shock, and gratitude all at the same time. And as much as we love them, we need to lead them with purpose and authority. With our leadership, we can release the parental…
