PARENTING: A TOUGH JOB

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young,
that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft.”
(Deuteronomy 32:11)

MEDITATION:
What is an eagle doing when she does this?
She is teaching her little eaglets to fly by stirring up her nest.
If you are a parent,
your job is to give your children wings so they can leave the nest.

When you’re raising your boys and girls,
your job is to prepare them to leave your home.
Don’t be so interested in making your children comfortable,
but try to build in them some character, and get them ready to leave the nest.
A parent’s job is to work himself/herself out of a job.

Are you a parent who shows your children how to do something, or
are you a parent who advises your children, and lets them try for themselves?
Some of the greatest scientists failed before they succeeded.
As long as a child is not going to hurt themselves,
give them an opportunity to fail.

Too many parents with good intentions frustrate and discourage their children.
A child wants “hands on” learning,
but many parents give them “watch me” teaching.
This type of ‘teaching’ only teaches the child how to give tools to the parent
and watch him/her work – children will get bored and go do something else.

It can continue into adulthood as well.
Many parents fail to recognize their children as adults.
They still refer to them in child-like terms, “My boy”, “My little girl”, etc.
We damage our children’s self-esteem when we fail to treat them as adults.
This damaged self-esteem can result in bad choices
as they get older, and become more independent.

A parent is successful when the children no longer need them.
As a parent, you work yourself out of a job,
but you don’t work yourself out of a relationship.
Jesus said,
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into
practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)

ACTION:
If you feel that you have not properly taught your children,
you can’t ‘unscramble’ the egg of mistake,
but you can make changes going forward.
Allow your children to achieve an adult status;
allow them to handle things themselves.

Even if they do it wrong, they are learning and increasing their self-esteem.
When they fail, it is the parent who can encourage them,
as opposed to pointing out everything they did wrong
and telling them how they ‘should’ have done it.

Give them advice but let them decide for themselves,
and don’t lecture or take control.
Most parents didn’t want their parents telling them everything to do,
and neither do their own children.

Out of respect or a desire to avoid confrontation, they may not say anything,
but that doesn’t mean they aren’t frustrated over a controlling parent.
God allows us to fail, but is quick to encourage us when we do.
He established the requirements of parenting, so we should follow His pattern.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing me with children. Help me to
learn from You what it means to nourish and encourage Your wonderful
gifts to me. Give me wisdom which will help me to become a better parent
and in turn, help them to become better children. Remind me to instill in
them the importance of a close relationship with You. Guide me as I teach
them that failure doesn’t make them a failure, but is merely a part of the
learning process. Help me to be their greatest encourager and friend. Thank
You Father for always loving me; help me to love my children the same way.”

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