Maybe that should read…
I’m not really a kid person?
I’m not always a kid person?
Wait… I’m not just a kid person?
It’s like this…I write children’s books, I have 7 kids of my own, I babysit, teach Sunday school, volunteer at youth events and jump in when ever a group of kids are around. But truth is I love talking to the parents! (Remember Vegas?)
It’s interesting to hear the parents view on the kids situation. I am a firm believer that the kids today think they now it all, but parents are the ones who need to teach morals the child should know to them for real. Sadly, we know this society with social media the way it is that is not happening.
I REALLY like to talk to parents, because we are the ones who are the temperature gauges for the children we see around here (hopefully). When I’m talking to a parent whose child is being bullied they (the parent) need to know what to do. Or when I have a friend whose child is being a problem at home with a straight “A” average and no sign of bullying. They (the parents) want to know what to do in that situation too. I count it a privilege being there for them, I don’t blame the good parents for the imbalanced, disabled, immature, confused or simply T-E-E-N-A-G-E-R-S and ‘littles’. We can only do our best as parents and commit the rest.
Gary has a saying based on Psalm 127: 4 “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior, so are the children of ones youth.” 5Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in their gate.” and it goes like this… when the arrows of your hands began to stray pray to God for a strong wind to put them back on their way. Verse 5 I think he just took literally!
We don’t have the corner market on parenting or advice on doing it right,but God set it up in a way that has all of us winning. Ephesians “6:1 Children obey your parents” 6:4 Father’s don’t provoke your children to wrath” Parents should be a powerful influence in our children lives. The village is good only if they have all their wits about them.
Take Care,
I agree…we as parents really do need to teach morals…and children need to learn to obey their parents. It’s scary some of the stuff we see out there!! I also believe that parents need to be on the “same page” when parenting. Kids learn too quickly how to manipulate one over the other, or they know who will say yes and who will say no and use that to their advantage. They are smart…but so are we parents! And I think it is great for parents to talk to each other and learn from each other! Thanks for posting!
Wonderful post, Thomasina!
I believe all the parents out there should read this for guidance and inspiration.
As you say, we have the responsibilities to guide our children. I see my role as this: to give my daughter the guidance she needs to realize what she does not know, and make smart decisions. I need to protect her, but not from the world, just from those who would try to harm her. As she gets older, I need to give her the tools to protect herself. I do not want her to blindly obey me, but to respect me enough to consider my position. By doing this, I am giving her the tools to think, and to only trust those she respects.
As a parent I try to teach my children what is morally right regardless of what their peers may do. It can be difficult because not everyone does that. I just hope they use them. The other thing is having them responsible for what they say and do. Todays times are challenging both as parents and as children growing up. You just hope they do what is right when you aren’t there. Thank You for sharing
Great post, and so true! If the parents aren’t sure what to do or how to deal with things, then the kids don’t stand a chance.
I like that, “We can only do our best as parents and commit to the rest”. This was a great – reminder – post and I love Gary’s take from that scripture.
Yes, it is our obligation as parents to raise our kids to be morally upright. If not us, who? Definitely not the media. Excellent post!
Spending time with other adults especially ones I respect and admire fuels my parenting and really helps me evaluate what I’m doing as a parent and what I could be doing differently.