Things We've Done Right
Raising children in today's world is difficult. They are being bombarded by things that most of us have never had to face. There are things pulling at them that would cause many adults to stumble. They are being exposed to things at a younger and younger age. It's a scary world out there.
I was reflecting on my children and thinking of some of the things Dan & I have done right in raising them. Don't get me wrong. This is not a "Look at what great parents we are" post. We mess up on a regular basis. I lie awake many nights, saddened at things that have come out of my mouth. I must apologize to my children at least 20 times a week. Trust me. I am all too aware of my weaknesses.
But today I want to focus on the good things we've done and the things we've done right as parents.
We talk about God's word. What does it say? What does it mean for this situation? We wrestle with different issues in light of what the Lord has to say about a thing. We let our children express things they disagree with or a way that they are coming at something differently. And right here, I do have to say that Dan is so much better at that than I am. He doesn't get nervous when the kids question something. I have a tendency to immediately get concerned. He stays calm and let's them express themselves. But we do keep going back to scripture. What does this passage mean in the context with which it was written? What does it mean to us today? How does it apply to a situation we are in now?
We expect a lot from our children! We expect them to be honest, upright, and hardworking. We expect them to go beyond the mediocre. We want them to do their best at whatever it is they do. We recognize that they are going to make mistakes and fail, but we want them to keep getting back up to try again. We don't let them just give up. We want them to be exemplary in their words and actions.
We have tried to teach them to be individuals. They don't have to all think the same way or do the same things. They don't have to follow in our footsteps. They are unique. God has a plan for each of them. He is guiding them on the road He has for them.
We want them to be polite and kind. We've tried to teach them basic social skills. Look someone in the eye when they talk to you. Treat both children AND adults with respect. Speak when you are spoken too. Look around at how you can be thoughtful to someone else. Listen when someone is talking. Don't be obnoxious! lol
We've tried hard to show consistency with our children and lead by example. As I said before. We are not perfect. We blow it regularly but we always come back and ask for forgiveness. When we mess up, we say it. After all, they are watching and know!
We try to share ways that the Lord has blessed us or some principal we are learning. We tell each other, "I love you." daily. We say good morning and good night every single day.
We want our children to know how we feel about them. That they are loved. That they are special. That God loves them.
Those are the few things we have done right.
I was reflecting on my children and thinking of some of the things Dan & I have done right in raising them. Don't get me wrong. This is not a "Look at what great parents we are" post. We mess up on a regular basis. I lie awake many nights, saddened at things that have come out of my mouth. I must apologize to my children at least 20 times a week. Trust me. I am all too aware of my weaknesses.
But today I want to focus on the good things we've done and the things we've done right as parents.
We talk about God's word. What does it say? What does it mean for this situation? We wrestle with different issues in light of what the Lord has to say about a thing. We let our children express things they disagree with or a way that they are coming at something differently. And right here, I do have to say that Dan is so much better at that than I am. He doesn't get nervous when the kids question something. I have a tendency to immediately get concerned. He stays calm and let's them express themselves. But we do keep going back to scripture. What does this passage mean in the context with which it was written? What does it mean to us today? How does it apply to a situation we are in now?
We expect a lot from our children! We expect them to be honest, upright, and hardworking. We expect them to go beyond the mediocre. We want them to do their best at whatever it is they do. We recognize that they are going to make mistakes and fail, but we want them to keep getting back up to try again. We don't let them just give up. We want them to be exemplary in their words and actions.
We have tried to teach them to be individuals. They don't have to all think the same way or do the same things. They don't have to follow in our footsteps. They are unique. God has a plan for each of them. He is guiding them on the road He has for them.
We want them to be polite and kind. We've tried to teach them basic social skills. Look someone in the eye when they talk to you. Treat both children AND adults with respect. Speak when you are spoken too. Look around at how you can be thoughtful to someone else. Listen when someone is talking. Don't be obnoxious! lol
We've tried hard to show consistency with our children and lead by example. As I said before. We are not perfect. We blow it regularly but we always come back and ask for forgiveness. When we mess up, we say it. After all, they are watching and know!
We try to share ways that the Lord has blessed us or some principal we are learning. We tell each other, "I love you." daily. We say good morning and good night every single day.
We want our children to know how we feel about them. That they are loved. That they are special. That God loves them.
Those are the few things we have done right.
♥♥♥♥♥♥
I want to congratulate Rebekah Arnold who won the blog giveaway. Rebekah, please email me your mailing address so I can send you a copy of the book, a tea tote, and tissue holder.
Congratulations!
Loving our children doesn't mean giving them everything they desire. Instead, it is the day to day lessons that my husband and I have stayed true to. Like you, the Word of God is forever present in our home. I have home schooled our three children since infancy, so they have been together as an unit from day one. Thank you Terri for sharing... Children are indeed our greatest blessings but also our greatest barometers of who we are as women and men. m.
ReplyDeleteHoney I'm so glad you shared this. It is so easy for us to either think we have failed our children at every turn or that we know all the answers. Your honest post is refreshing: that we have made mistakes but there are many many specific things that are done right! Thanks for this sweet encouragement today, dearest.
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