If you set out to teach your child to obey without question, the danger is that you might succeed. They might be safe children, but they also may grow up vulnerable to abuse and peer pressure and spiritual error because they learned their lesson too well. If, instead, you want your children to become thoughtful, […]
Allowing Children to Choose Unwisely
I’ve always known that the ability to control my children’s behavior lasts for a relatively short time. I can make my children brush their teeth, but at some point, they will have to decide whether they will continue to brush their teeth each day. I’d like my children to practice making wise choices while they […]
Peace in Parenting
On Thursday morning I dropped my oldest (almost 16 years old) off at the airport, as he flies out to California where he will be working at a Christian camp this summer. He’ll be close to family, but it’s a long way from his mama’s heart. Friends at church have checked on me. How are […]
Goal Making Progress
It’s been several years since I started helping my children make goals each semester. Much of the time I’m simply walking them through the motions of goal setting, and then leaving them with the goals. I’m trying to encourage independence, not add another layer of micromanagement. But thus far, I’ve seen only glimmers of initiative […]