On Mary's blog she wrote:
Common knowledge (which is sometimes commonly stupid) suggests that parents should have some control over their children. This is false, and this is wrong. Parents should not try to exert control over their children. I should influence and teach, but not control. How often am I in the mindset of "serve and love" during my interactions with my children. Where is the service and love in the phrases my children most often hear from me? Stop that! Do this! Don't do that! Go to your room!
I have some repenting to do.
Thanks, Mary.
I think in every relationship we have we can ask ourselves if we are trying to have power over that person or if we are trying to serve and love that person.I like this: it's a very simple test of our hearts. Sadly, I probably fail this test most often with my children.
Common knowledge (which is sometimes commonly stupid) suggests that parents should have some control over their children. This is false, and this is wrong. Parents should not try to exert control over their children. I should influence and teach, but not control. How often am I in the mindset of "serve and love" during my interactions with my children. Where is the service and love in the phrases my children most often hear from me? Stop that! Do this! Don't do that! Go to your room!
I have some repenting to do.
Thanks, Mary.
1 Comment:
Thanks for your thoughts. This was an eye-opening realization for me. I think most times I am caught trying to control my children rather than serve and love them.
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