Parent Jam

I found this quote today and wanted to share it:
"A child needs both to be hugged and unhugged. The hug lets her know she is valuable. The unhug lets her know that she is viable. If you’re always shoving your child away, they will cling to you for love. If you’re always holding them closer, they will cling to you for fear." --Polly Berrien Berends, Gently Lead

Our Pastor at North Church, Dr. Lawrence Kennedy, has often told the story of the country dog and the city dog when talking to parents about holding their children too close. Imagine, if you will a city dog that lives indoors and when he is taken outside he is led on a leash never leaving his master's side. On the other hand, there is a big hound dog curled up on the porch of a large country home enjoying the sun. Surrounding the home are wide open, grassy fields, no fences. You can see for miles when you stand on the porch. Occasionally, this big dog will leave the porch to stroll slowly in the yard to check out the world beyond his favorite spot. Now if the city dog is given an opportunity to be unleashed, what happens? He begins to run.

Our purpose as parents is to train our children to love God above anyone or anything else, to be responsible, to treat others with respect, and to have a strong, Godly character. Always keeping our child's safety in mind, we have to allow them to make mistakes and then take responsibility for their actions. If we are always behind our child fixing everything for them then they will not learn how to deal with life when it does not go their way.

Parenting is so challenging but at the same time is definitely one of the most rewarding things a person can do in life. What a joy it is to see children, who are not perfect, but are serving God and living a successful, adult life. My children are a joy!