As much as you hate to hear it, the challenges of parenting have changed since you became a parent. And chances are, your child is more technologically savvy than you. This is when you have to rely on your gut feelings. And listen to those who are walking a step or two ahead of you. I'm trying to learn & grow from others, and in turn, I'd like to pass on some counsel I've heard from other parents, and a few things I had to learn the hard way. Still learning!
Here's a list (an incomplete list) of things you may or may not have thought of:
1. Begin your parenting early in your child's life :)
2. Remember you are not alone. There's nothing you face that surprises God, and He is by your side, to wipe that stupefied look at your face. Time and again!
3. Children may cry out for boundaries.
4. Children may ignore boundaries.
5. Children may cry out for mercy.
6. Children may ignore mercy.
7. Boundaries change, depending on the age of the child. A preschooler can not go near the road. An elementary-aged child might be allowed in the road. Then you're back to square one with your teens as you confiscate the keys to the car. Do not go near the road. :)
8. Parenting requires courage. That's not something you can buy at the store. It's available in two places. Only two places. In the Word of God, and on your knees before the Lord.
9. You need wisdom. Not "as seen on TV" wisdom. Available only where courage is found. See #8 for locations near you.
10. If your child has a cell phone, ck the call & text records. You might find out why your child sleeps all day.
11. With your child, establish a cut-off time for social networking, gaming, TV, movies, etc. And unplug. That means the internet modem, TV cable boxes, cordless house phones, anything that a child can connect to instead of sleeping. (Reserve the right to take away all of the above if you have to leave during the day. It's your responsibility to protect your child on the internet and phone, the best you can.)
12. Hide all those things you just unplugged. Take a key and lock it up if you have to, so you can sleep!
13. If a laptop is accessible in your home, remember that your kid might be capable of finding a neighbor's internet network. So, taking the modem might not be enough.
14. Your child is capable of lying. That means he/she may say something that's not true. Or might leave out details that are actually important.
15. You are capable of believing lies. That means you accept that sweet, innocent look on a face...while it's trying to cover a guilty heart.
16. If you think you hear something, you probably do.
17. If you think you know something, you probably do.
18. If you think you smell something, you probably do.
19. If you think you saw something, you probably did.
20. If you think you felt something, guess what, you probably did. It was your child, growing up.
Are you going to grow up with him or her? It's your choice.
1. Begin your parenting early in your child's life :)
2. Remember you are not alone. There's nothing you face that surprises God, and He is by your side, to wipe that stupefied look at your face. Time and again!
3. Children may cry out for boundaries.
4. Children may ignore boundaries.
5. Children may cry out for mercy.
6. Children may ignore mercy.
7. Boundaries change, depending on the age of the child. A preschooler can not go near the road. An elementary-aged child might be allowed in the road. Then you're back to square one with your teens as you confiscate the keys to the car. Do not go near the road. :)
8. Parenting requires courage. That's not something you can buy at the store. It's available in two places. Only two places. In the Word of God, and on your knees before the Lord.
9. You need wisdom. Not "as seen on TV" wisdom. Available only where courage is found. See #8 for locations near you.
10. If your child has a cell phone, ck the call & text records. You might find out why your child sleeps all day.
11. With your child, establish a cut-off time for social networking, gaming, TV, movies, etc. And unplug. That means the internet modem, TV cable boxes, cordless house phones, anything that a child can connect to instead of sleeping. (Reserve the right to take away all of the above if you have to leave during the day. It's your responsibility to protect your child on the internet and phone, the best you can.)
12. Hide all those things you just unplugged. Take a key and lock it up if you have to, so you can sleep!
13. If a laptop is accessible in your home, remember that your kid might be capable of finding a neighbor's internet network. So, taking the modem might not be enough.
14. Your child is capable of lying. That means he/she may say something that's not true. Or might leave out details that are actually important.
15. You are capable of believing lies. That means you accept that sweet, innocent look on a face...while it's trying to cover a guilty heart.
16. If you think you hear something, you probably do.
17. If you think you know something, you probably do.
18. If you think you smell something, you probably do.
19. If you think you saw something, you probably did.
20. If you think you felt something, guess what, you probably did. It was your child, growing up.
Are you going to grow up with him or her? It's your choice.
