Embracing family
Yes, parenting gets easier — but only if we want it to get easier. Don’t give up or give in to your children’s demands, nagging or begging.
Parenting gets easier, but it requires many choices to make that happen. It’s similar to the resolution of wanting to get into better shape or train for a marathon: It’s easier said than done.
Accomplishing that requires self-discipline, mindfulness and daily choices. It requires perseverance and determination. Parenting is no different. It will probably be the most challenging — and the most rewarding — workout we will ever have.
Sometimes it helps to draw some parallels to help us remember our goals. After reading the article, our children have already asked us questions or needed something.
Remember that we make tough choices now with our children because we love them. We make tough choices now so that life is easier for them (and us!) down the road. We make tough choices now because that is what Jesus would do.
Workout plan = parenting plan
- Set goals.
- Make a plan with family inputs.
- Communicate the plan to family.
- Establish interim goals with rewards for all.
- Prepare daily schedule supporting goals.
- “Just do it!” No excuses.
- Celebrate interim milestones.
- Review plan weekly. (What’s working, what’s not?)
- Modify plan.
- Celebrate interim milestones.
- Prepare a long-term plan.
- Continue until goals are met.
- Celebrate!
- Implement long-term plan.
- Yes, parenting is a lifelong workout plan. The first 18 years are similar to training for a marathon. Athletes have trainers, coaches and friends who encourage and inspire them along the journey. Parents need coaches and support, too.
Do not try to train and run this parenting marathon alone. Turn to God in prayer throughout the day when things go well and when they appear to fail miserably. (P.S.: Failure is not failure; it’s a learning opportunity.) Turn to family and friends. Ask others to pray for you, listen to you and give advice only if you seek it.
More good news: We never need to run the parenting marathon all at once. We are blessed to walk with our kids by their side for 18 beautiful years. Once they are adults, we want to maintain all the skills we worked hard to achieve.
In doing so, our kids (even young adults) will be far more likely to live by the values with which we raised them. They will see that these are life-changing and lifelong skills that benefit parents and children and positively impact marital relationships, friendships and professional relationships.
Will it get easier? Yes! However, we must plan and make daily choices to continue this parenting workout — no excuses.
When we are tired, run with the heart. Our children deserve the absolute best from us, our unwavering love and support. We focus so much on trying to give them the absolute best in possessions with gaming devices, tablets and phones. None of these will fulfill their inner cravings.
Let’s shift the focus from giving them the best possessions to giving our kids the absolute best of ourselves: our time, our love, our listening, our active engagement (without cellphones) and yes, even our boundaries and tough decisions.
We chose to do this because God blessed us with them, we love them and we want them to become respectful and responsible Christians and citizens. Run the race. Stay strong. Give it all you got.
Questions? Please email Sarah and David at Success@EmbraceFamilyLearning.com. We would be honored to lift you in prayer and respond!
Viriditas2: Soul Greening is on a temporary break.
