Parenting is easy! Go ahead and laugh...it was written to spark such a reaction. Parenting is a challenge. There are parts that are easy to some people at some moments. But what is parenting?
Parenting to some appears to be to make life as easy as possible for their children. Adults may do this for various reasons. One such reason is because their life was so tragic and difficult they want to avoid repeating the damage done to them. Others just can't stand seeing their child in pain and so will actually keep their children from "suffering" in any way.
Parenting to some appears to be to have servants to do all the things they do not want to do. The parents avoid pain and place all the pain on the children. In this situation, the parents have little respect for their children and the children will grow up and most likely repeat the process.
So what is parenting? It seems that it begins with understanding how God view parents and children. Jesus seems to demonstrate incredible respect and love for children as he gathers them around him from time to time. He warns against anyone harming them or hurting them in any way. He is one who believes in discipline as it assists in the maturing process. Discipline and love go hand in hand.
It would seem that parenting is helping God's little ones to grow up to healthy emotional and spiritual maturity as adults. Parenting is about guiding, shaping, and encouraging children throughout life, especially to help them encounter God and Jesus. Parents are there to help their children, but not enable them in the growing up process. This obviously changes as the child grows older. You don't give a 2 year old the responsibility of mowing the lawn, but there are teachable moments. But nor does a 16 year old have the choice of going to school.
Parenting is about looking at the whole of a child's life and determine what qualities and characteristics a child is to have when they become an adult. You want them to be socially, financially, relationally, spiritually, and emotionally mature. So you help them develop friendships, learn to handle money by working for a living. Parents help their child to see God in life and develop a relationship with Him. Parents encourage and comfort their children when emotionally hurt, but also teach them how to respond to their pain.
Parenting is not easy, but at times we need to step back and access the path we are walking with our children.
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