3 🔑 To Parenting
(1) Teach
The evidence in good parenting is not the result of your own child but that of you grandchildren. Parenting is a long game and the best way to do well in it is by teaching. As a parent, if all you do is correct them from the moment they are born till they turn 18, then all they will be is dependent. Yes correction is good and even a primary way of parenting for a season, but teaching your children will allow you to live with them longer than you will be alive.
(2) Model
What you the parent do in moderation your children will do in excess. This proves that what you do matters. Even when you think your child isn’t watching, they are. How you treat your spouse, how you treat others, how you treat alcohol or drugs, how you treat sin, and much more will profoundly shape the way your child will treat those same things. If you treat others with disrespect and a “holier than thou” mindset, don’t be surprised when your child becomes entitled and arrogant.
(3) Support
Even when you know it won’t end how they want it to, sometimes all your child needs is your support. They may have an idea to build a cushion and blanket fort, and you know that it won’t work. Instead of taking control and telling them what to do (goes back to 🔑 1) support them. Let them tell you what to do. Then when it fails you have the credibility of support to teach them the best way to build the fort. Your children won’t remember your lectures, they will remember your support.
The evidence in good parenting is not the result of your own child but that of you grandchildren. Parenting is a long game and the best way to do well in it is by teaching. As a parent, if all you do is correct them from the moment they are born till they turn 18, then all they will be is dependent. Yes correction is good and even a primary way of parenting for a season, but teaching your children will allow you to live with them longer than you will be alive.
(2) Model
What you the parent do in moderation your children will do in excess. This proves that what you do matters. Even when you think your child isn’t watching, they are. How you treat your spouse, how you treat others, how you treat alcohol or drugs, how you treat sin, and much more will profoundly shape the way your child will treat those same things. If you treat others with disrespect and a “holier than thou” mindset, don’t be surprised when your child becomes entitled and arrogant.
(3) Support
Even when you know it won’t end how they want it to, sometimes all your child needs is your support. They may have an idea to build a cushion and blanket fort, and you know that it won’t work. Instead of taking control and telling them what to do (goes back to 🔑 1) support them. Let them tell you what to do. Then when it fails you have the credibility of support to teach them the best way to build the fort. Your children won’t remember your lectures, they will remember your support.
@jlcabit