It happens to me every single year. We have a large yard with lots of flower borders and pine islands. Every summer I promise myself that the next spring I will get out before the weeds and do all of the things you are supposed to do so you aren’t weeding all summer long. Inevitably life gets in the way and I don’t get out there until the weeds have made their appearance everywhere. I know if I could ever nip the weed situation in the bud, my summers would involve a lot less yard work. For some reason though, I never nip it in the bud and find myself doing a lot of extra and potentially unnecessary work.
Christian Parenting is the same way. It starts much younger than people think. You can begin training a child to have appropriate behavior when most kids are about one year old (when your child can respond to a simple command – this age will vary from child to child). It amazes me how quickly toddlers will begin testing your limits. Their hearts are just beginning to develop and aren’t necessarily rebellious, but those temptations and negative behaviors are already there.
Full confession here. New Year’s Eve and Day are two of my very least favorite holidays. I’m not a fan of dwelling on the past or putting undue pressure on myself for the future. Yet there is some value at times to doing just that – especially while you are trying your best to parent your kids towards God.
Does your family have some favorite family stories? You know, the ones told so many times everyone knows the words by heart. Do you remember the words to your favorite song from high school? When it comes on the radio, can you crank it up and sing it like you did back then? You probably can even picture the car you drove when the song was popular or picture other scenes from that time as you sing along years later.
Ever complemented a parent on how wonderful their child is only to be told “I wish he/she were that way at home”? For some reason we say it bothers us, but tend to tolerate children who are unkind, disrespectful and down right mean and ugly at home. We tell ourselves it was because they had a bad day, their hormones are raging or it’s part of growing up in today’s world. We console ourselves that at least their behavior outside of the home is godly.
If I had a nickel for every grandparent who bragged about spoiling their grandkids and for every parent who was frustrated with their previously strict parents, I would be rich. Spoiling seems to be synonymous with grandparenting. As parents, you often seemed like military sergeants enforcing the rules when your kids were little. Now you take great pleasure in helping your grandchildren break almost every rule your kids have established for them.