Just For Parents
Shannan and I are 33 years into our marriage. Our oldest son is 32, so we've been at the parenting thing for a long time. Here are two things we've learned: First, there are no perfect families. Second, our parenting role changes over time, but our children's need to know they are loved and supported never changes. Here are some posts and resources we hope you find helpful. Enjoy.
Great Parenting Tips We Have Received
"The most extraordinary thing in the world is an ordinary man and an ordinary woman and their ordinary children." G.K. Chesterton
"When you are tempted to lecture . . . ask questions." Chuck Swindoll
Tell your children, "I love you."
Ban "You need to" from your parenting vocabulary. Henry Cloud
Parents are fond of saying, "You need to clean up your room," "You need to study," "You need to practice" …. Restructuring "You need to's" into decision-making choices transforms children from autobots to responsible people. Example: "We're going for pizza later today, but only those who clean up their rooms are going with us. I hope that's you!"
Catch your children doing something right and praise them.
Our job is to be the parent, not the friend. If we parent now, we'll be friends later.
Pray for your children. Ask: "How can I pray for you?"
Model humility. Be willing to say, "I was wrong. I am sorry. Please forgive me."
Follow the example of God the Father who said to Jesus: "I'm proud of you!"
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spriti of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'" Matthew 3:16-17 NIV