Being The Parent Your Child Deserves

Nothing is more important than our children, so it makes sense that nothing ignites a good argument quite like a discussion on parenting methods.

I heard a psychologist say that parents shouldn’t try to make their children be like them. She thought it better to just let the kids become themselves. That sounds good, but nature and biology disagree and they had a pretty good head start. By the time the child is walking and talking and able to obey simple commands, he’s already developed some of dad’s mannerisms — and there are a bunch more stirring around in that gene pool waiting for their turn to shine.

I think the expert meant well and was encouraging parents to nurture each child’s individuality, but her presentation was a bit vague and too broad. But if that was indeed her intended message, she was right. Each child is one-of-a-kind and should be guided and appreciated for who they are.

Humans never tire of offering new solutions for all of life’s challenges. In part, I fear, because the current methods reveal us to be miserable failures and it is much easier on our pride to change the standards and expectations than to admit we could be wrong. But when it comes to life and living, there are no new solutions: just recycled worn-out philosophies repackaged to catch the eye of the inexperienced.

When it comes to children and life, there are a few facts that will always over-power any philosophy. The biggest of these is that a child will grow up to be like somebody. And since that’s true, why shouldn’t that somebody be the parent? After all, they are the ones paying the bills, providing the care, and enduring the sleepless nights.

It is God’s design for parents to shape their children’s lives, but too many parents are content to just watch while their children grow up.

I’m not blaming the parents. Our society has failed to teach this generation how to guide a family. We’re so intimidated by the politically correct crowd that we’ve let them deconstruct our American family culture. Instead of strengthening the values that have produced strong and stable adults for centuries, we celebrate those committed to nothing but their own pleasure and the resulting undefinable human units left in their wake. When we cannot teach children that nature makes them either a boy or a girl and that all lives are of equal importance, what hope do they have of becoming sane adults, content within their own skins?

So, I don’t blame the parents, but I do encourage them to look behind the facade propped up to make the liberal life without boundaries seem normal, happy, and enduring. They will see that it is anything but.

YOU are your child’s best hope for a positive and fulfilling future, but they will never achieve that as long as you are only along for the ride. Mom, dad — your children desperately need you to stand up and become their parents! They don’t need another best friend or shopping buddy. They need someone who will show them how to live a productive and blessed life. That’s not done with talk; it’s done with daily living.

They need to know where the boundaries are and that you will enforce them. They need to be assured that they matter, and reminded that they are loved. They need to hear words of correction, but even more words of blessing, affirmation, and encouragement.

Bottom line? They need you to step-up and be their parents! They need you to gladly assume that role. No, they won’t always appreciate all you say and do, but their futures depend on you showing the way.

Plug your ears and close your eyes if you must, but don’t let the noise from this narcissistic, sycophant bunch of adolescents running our government and dominating our media intimidate you. When you heap everything meaningful in your life into one big pile, your children are going to be sitting on top. Don’t leave what you love the most to flounder their way through a world that doesn’t give a hoot about their lives or their futures.

Starting now, be their parent!