By Sarah Evans
When I look at parenting today (inside and outside of the church), one of the main things that hits me, especially in the culture that I live in, is how parents lack confidence in their ability to positively influence their children. There appears to be a sense of helplessness when faced with the many challenges that parenthood brings. This lack of confidence prevents parents from ‘tapping’ into their full (God given) potential, in positively influencing their children, and so when this happens children are given the message that they can take full ‘rein’ of how the household is run (be the parent!).
Sadly in my experience, children who feel the need to do this are often left with a deep-seated sense of insecurity that can then result in them having behavior problems both within the family home, and even (although not always) in school. But there is hope because as parents begin to assert more confidence in their role as parent (as God intended), their children will also begin to feel more confident and secure in their role as a child.
Your history does not define your destiny:
I grew up in a family that was very dysfunctional and broken, and so did not have a godly role model of parenting to follow, and so when I look at the journey of parenting that I have taken with my own children I often wonder how things have turned out so well. And yet, it is clear to see how God’s hand of grace and mercy have intervened, and I know that it would not have been (and is not) possible without the wisdom and strength that comes from the Holy Spirit.
‘Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, new things have come’ (2 Corinthians 5:17)
And so, in spite of your history, you can be a competent (not perfect) and confident parent to your children.
In the weeks and months ahead, I will share with you some of the many things that I have learned (professionally and personally), and will provide some practical and ‘easy to use’ tips for parenting.
Please let me know if you have any particular topics on your heart that you would like for me to discuss.
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