Who wrote the book on parenting? It wasn’t me! I have one left in the nest out of three, and I still don’t know all the right moves. I like what Bill Cosby said, “if you only have one child, then you don’t count as a parent.” I know that is not true, but it sure is funny, and it stretches our parenting talents further than if we only had one child in the nest. I have learned a few things that I truly know is helpful. Firstly, spend time with them! The investment of our time is the most important thing we can do for them, because what they really want is us, our time and attention. Secondly, hold them responsible for their behavior! The worst thing we can do to our children is give them a false perception of life. Out in the world they will not be able to get away with inappropriate behavior. Therefore, if we allow them to get away with inappropriate behavior, that’s what they will think about everybody else. Also, I can’t stand to hear people say that they don’t discipline because they don’t want little Johnny mad at them, and that they love little Johnny and they want Little Johnny to love them back. The Bible clearly tells us that if we don’t discipline our children that we don’t love them. That is a mouth full, but it is true. Holding them responsible for there behavior is a must for the foundation of their life and the legacy of our families. There are many others points that I could share, but only three today. This last one, in my opinion is the most important. We need to apologize to them when our behavior has crossed the line. If we give our kids a false potriat of ourselves that reflects we’re perfect, then two things will happen. They will try to be perfect early on and fail, which will cuase them to live in bondage to a lie that says they are bad because they keep doing things wrongs. Then, down the line as they come into their teen years, they will figure out that you are a phony and resent you for imposing something upon them that they could never live up to. If we can just do these three thing, we can lay a foundton that other healthy principles can spring forth from in our relationship with them as parent.

Rhon Johnson

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Power Quotes:

– Discipline and love are not antithetical; one is a function of the other. –

– Children want their parents more than they want the junk we buy them. –

James C. Dobson  ( 1936 –        )