Responsible Parenting

Being a parent is a privilege and a responsibility that often is taken too lightly.

Children are a GIFT from God. (Psalm 127:3-5)

As with all gifts, God expects us to be good stewards of them.

The Bible tells us that everything in this world belongs to God and the same is true of our children.

It is a sobering thought that we are responsible for raising God’s kids.

Part of our responsibility to God’s kids is that we are to help them flourish and grow.

Too many parents do everything for their children.

They are so afraid that something might happen to them.

We must allow our children freedom to fail.

They must be allowed to be embarrassed.

We must allow them the freedom to be told they are wrong and to be corrected.

They will get hurt in life.

We have to accept that children are miniature people. They are PEOPLE.

People are not perfect; therefore, our children are not perfect.

Our children are a work in progress. (Just like you and me)

Our children are not a fashion accessory that we doll up and make up to be perfect so that we can flaunt them and show them off to make ourselves look good.

If that is what you want get a cockapoo, do not have kids. Kids are people.

Do not be embarrassed by your children. Be proud of your kids. Even when they blow it!

Your reactions and behaviors to adverse things they face will become their reactions and behaviors.

If you model that appearance, status, and everyone else’s opinion is what matters and makes them who they are, then that is how they will measure their personal self-worth.

Love your children as they are. Love them for who they are.

Stop measuring them against your expectations and start appreciating who God made them to be.

Show them the right way to handle adversity. Show them how to overcome. Show them how to respond and react properly.

In addition, please, teach your children how to be responsible for their own actions and choices.

When things go wrong, it is not always someone else’s fault.

Lastly, please model for your children that neither our children nor we are entitled to anything.

Nobody owes us anything.

Hard work, perseverance, personal responsibility, and faith in Christ are qualities that will take our children a long way in life.

Let us teach our children well.