Discipline – Page 11 – Parenting Like Hannah

9 Ways You Should Be Your Child’s Friend

9 Ways You Should Be Your Child's Friend - Parenting Like Hannah If you have been a parent for more than five minutes, you have probably heard the old adage, “Be your child’s parent, not their friend.” There is some truth to that. You have to be able to set firm, but loving boundaries and enforce them in order for your child to grow.

If you only view yourself as the authority in your relationship with your child though, your relationship will miss some of the closeness it can have. Contrary to popular belief, you can be both a parent and a friend, if you know when to play each role. It’s when the roles get confused that problems arise – not the fact that the parent and child are friends in some ways.

So how should you be your child’s friend? These are qualities I have found in my best friends, that I believe will enhance your relationship with your child, too.

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Why Your Kids Aren’t Doing What You Ask (And a Quick Fix!)

Why Your Kids Aren't Doing What You Ask (And a Quick Fix!) - Parenting Like Hannah When our daughter was about three years old, I asked her one day to clean her room. She gave me a puzzled look and when I returned in a few minutes, I couldn’t see any change. I reminded her she was supposed to clean her room and she replied, “I can’t.”

Now this is the point where most parents begin lectures on obedience and responsibility and begin threatening consequences. The problem is, she was telling the truth. She couldn’t clean her room, because she didn’t know what that meant or how to do it.

It doesn’t end with the toddler years though. What does “Don’t have sex until you’re married.” mean? What about “Don’t do drugs.”? Even teens struggle with doing what their parents ask them to do.

There are some really quick things you can do to make it clear whether or not your child is actually in rebellion to your request or sincerely hasn’t a clue what to do.

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3 Phrases Christian Parents Should Ban In Their Homes

3 Phrases Christian Parents Should Ban Their Kids From Saying - Parenting Like Hannah

No, this isn’t a lecture on forbidding cursing or potty talk in your home. (Although, I’m all for it!) There are three phrases though, that are often allowed in most Christian homes. While one could debate whether or not the words themselves are sinful, speaking them is laying the ground for a heart that believes some of Satan’s favorite lies.

So what are the three phrases you need to ban? What heart issues do they allow to creep into the lives of your children?

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Is Christian Parenting Too Hard?

Is Christian Parenting Too Hard - Parenting Like Hannah If you have ever homeschooled your child, I am sure you have had this conversation many times. You mention you homeschool and the other parent very quickly says “I could never do that. It’s too hard. (Fill in excuse.).” Now most parents aren’t quite that brave about admitting 100% Christian parenting is too hard, but you can tell they are thinking it. Or that’s it really not that necessary to “try so hard” or “do so much”.

After having ministered to kids and their families for several decades now, I can see a lot of patterns. I watch as parents parent young children in certain ways and then I see how the children grow (or don’t grow) in their faith as they become teens and then adults. It may not be 100% accurate, but it is pretty close. The parents who do certain things and avoid others almost always raise children who become faithful, productive Christians. Those who don’t, may get lucky once in a blue moon or may have adult children who attend church for family, social or business reasons, but there is a definite difference.

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