 Raising children
is not like making pancakes
where we can just
throw the bad ones out.
Nor can we go back and
start over if they don't
turn out right the first
time. In fact, there is no
occupation more challenging
than being a good
parent. Many who have
been otherwise successful
say that their biggest disappointment
in life was
how they raised their children.
The challenge in
raising children is that of
keeping a proper balance.
If we're too restrictive
with our children, they
are likely to rebel. If
we're too lenient, they'll
likely be spoiled.
For example: One
devout Christian family
was having trouble with
their teenagers. Until the
children had reached
their teens, they had
always obeyed their parents.
Suddenly they had
become rebellious and
resentful. Even though
their children would soon
be leaving home, the parents
watched everything
they did. "Put your coat
on. It's cold outside."
"You be sure to call home
every hour so we know
that you are alright."
These parents failed to
realize that they needed
to let their teens have
some freedom and learn
responsibility. Soon they
would be making decisions
on their own and
they needed to learn how
even though their decisions
were not always the
best.
Another
Christian family was just
the opposite. They let
their children do anything
and everything they
wanted. The kids
climbed on the furniture,
crawled across the dining
room table, screamed and
fought with each other
with no word of rebuke
from the parents. They
thought they were cute.
They failed to see that
their children not only
needed love and freedom
but discipline. The discipline
that children need
must be done in a loving,
firm and consistent way.
Parents who neglect this
or think it is not needed
are not doing their children
any favors.
Knowing just
when to lay down the law
or when to let something
slide is not always easy to
determine. Letting children
and teens grow up is
not all that easy of a task.
The result is that
there is often an ongoing
battle between the teen's
struggle for freedom and
the parents' unwillingness
to give it. Giving
too much freedom, too
fast, can be a big mistake.
But so can not giving
enough.
It's good that we
are not left alone in carrying
out this responsibility.
Our Lord is always there
to help us. We can
approach him in prayer
for he has promised to
help us. We can seek
guidance through his
Word where we find
many examples of what
we should and should not
do. Parenting is a challenge
but it is also a great
blessing. Just don't do it
alone. Seek the Lord's
help and his blessing. |
