Parenting Tips for 2018

Parenting.....  It's one of  the most rewarding jobs (my sister hates when I call it a job) there are, yet it can be overwhelming and even hard at times.  I remember being pregnant with my first child, reading every parenting book I could get my hands on, I just knew by the time she was born I was going to be a pro at being a mommy.  Ha!  I remember her crying, me trying to feed her, burp her, sing to her, bounce her, play soothing music, everything the books had told me to do.  She was still crying and so was I by now. What was wrong?  What about the first time she refused food and I tried playing the airplane game, telling her how good it was, even tasting it myself?  What now?  Fast forward now I have four kids.  I have repeatedly asked them to finish their chores. Why do I have to remind them everyday.  Why am I constantly saying things like, "be nice to your brother," "stop throwing that football in the house," " yes you have to eat it" no you can't watch that" I could go on and on forever.  I've come to realize parenting is never ending, consistent reminders are necessary, and grace for both child and parent is a must.  I have now been a parent for almost 15 years, wow that makes me feel old, so I think its ok to share a few tips I've learned along the way. 

Trust God and stop trying to do things your way!
Sometimes I'm amazed that God trust me for this position, He trust me even when I don't trust myself, or when I have no idea what I'm doing.  So, because he gave me this assignment why would I try to do it my way.  He already knows what needs to be and He knows the outcome!  I know we sometimes think we have it all figured out, but how can that be if we don't even know what tomorrow holds?  Trust Him!
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:8-9‬ ‭KJV

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Be careful what you say to your children.
I use the toothpaste analogy with my kids when I'm teaching them about their words.  When you squeeze toothpaste out of the bottle it is close to impossible to get it back in.  It is also like that with our words, once we say it we can't take it back.  We can apologize, hug them, and kiss them, but the sting of the words will still be there.  So, choose your words wisely and be sure you are using them to build your kids up and not tear them down.
“But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”
‭‭James‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Teach and lead them
I know you have all heard the saying actions speak louder than words.  Well it's true!  Our children are watching us even when we think they are not.  So, it's not enough to just tell them we have to show them as well.  If you are training your girls to behave like young ladies and grow up to be keepers of their homes,  you must show them.  If you want your boys to grow up and provide for their families they have to see their father doing it.  If you don't want your kids walking around cussing and being disrespectful to authority then you shouldn't walk around cussing and being disrespectful to authority.  We have to lead by example. 
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The girls shopping for groceries.

When in doubt ask the Lord
It is so easy to pick up the phone, and call or text a friend asking what we should do about this situation or that, asking for advice on how we should discipline our child, or what we should say to them.  I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with that, in fact I do it from time to time as well, but it is very important that we don't forget about God.  He wants to give us wisdom and He wants us to trust Him enough to come to him and ask for His advice, and here's the hard part, WAIT for his answer.  He knows our children better than anyone, including us, so why not ask him?
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬


Listen to your husband
We must listen to our husband, even when it seems he is being to hard.  Our husband is the head of our home and we should follow his lead.  God blesses his order, so if we line ourselves up according to his Word our homes will be blessed and or children will be blessed!
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord."
Ephesians 5:22 KJV

Y'all I pray that these tips can be a blessing to you and your family!  What are somethings you've learned along your parenting journey?  I would love to hear from you?
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