If there was a shortcut to parenting, I thought I would have found it by now. I haven’t . . . not even close. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t tried. And it doesn’t mean I haven’t failed. Still we all keep looking and hoping, don’t we?
Baby music classes do not give our kids a fast-track to music scholarships in college. T-ball at age four doesn’t mean the pros at twenty. Reading a Bible story at bedtime every night won’t lead us to growing a godly teen. There are no quick fixes, perfect extracurricular actives, or even right methods of spiritual guidance that will result in perfect kids. We cannot skip the rough stuff in life and move directly to GO to collect our rewards of growing godly adults. Don’t we wish it was all that simple?
There are a few things we can cut out that will benefit our kids: the latest gadgets, pricey fashion, electronic games, and social interaction that cuts out face-to-face social life. But we parents often pile on those things when we can’t be there with time, attention, and connection. I’ve been guilty of it. “Here, play with my tablet for a while so I can finish this quick task.”
There are things we might think will help, but they are actually hurting our kids
- The right preschool will not make up for time with parents, learning about life, relationships and caring for God.
- The right moral stories will not make up for serving as a family, discovering there are real people behind the “issues” who need a helping hand, who need hope.
- Even great biographies of heroes of the Christian faith cannot fill in for models of godliness. Instead, children need to see parents on their knees, crying out to God and discussing how God’s truth overcomes the world’s lies.
Yes, it’s important to share stories of Christian faith (I’ve even written a book for that!), but Mom and Dad—your story is the most important one your child will read . . . and they read it in real, living, breathing flesh.
Read the rest of this post over at thebettermom.com and download the printable!
Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Leave a Reply