In Training...

I recently had a conversation...or maybe I should say, recently I told my daughter Grace, who is 9 (conversation would mean that I allowed her rebuttal or input and this time I didn't)...anyway, she was mad at me, because I got on her about a homework assignment.  I was scolding her for not focusing on her work...for singing or drawing or zoning out...instead of writing this stinking paper that was do last week! (note: not a bad parent moment...teacher/parent/student communication issue...mostly teacher!)  She was angry with me and threw a little fit and so I sent her to her bedroom.  Upon visiting her in her room, I did let her express her frustration with me, then proceeded to tell her that I am not the bad guy here!  I did not give her the assignment...I did not drop the ball on it...and I did not appreciate the grief or the fit throwing!  I told her that she may not like it when I get on her.  She may not like it if I raise my voice or enforce discipline.  She definitely doesn't like getting a swat on her behind every once in a while either!  (yes, no sparing of the rod in this house!)  I explained to her that I have to answer to God.  I have been given this awesome (sometimes, not so much...only sometimes!!) responsibility to raising my children.  I have been entrusted to bring them up to be productive, functioning, loving, God-fearing people.  I have to obey God first and that means my kiddos are not always going to like me!  She seemed to understand, for the moment...I am sure she will let me remind her several more times before she is 18!  And, I am sure most of those times won't be homework related!    :)

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My point is this...we are called to parent our children!  

We chose to be parents.  We must step up to the plate and not take that responsibility lightly! 

 Don't try and be their friend!  Train them and teach them how to BE a good friend themselves.  Raise them to be responsible & self sufficient.  Teach them the discipline of prayer!  Show them what it means to obey the Lord! 

Our kids have no one else.  We are it!  We only get one chance to raise our children...one chance to get them ready for life.  

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Train a child in the way that he should go 

and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6