Regailing: The Power of a Parent

Wow - we parents have a lot of power. We may not really realize just how powerful we are when we're rearing children. Children are quite helpless when they're very young. They are at the whims of their parents, who have the capability to crush their spirits or hurt their bodies.

Wow - parenting is already a daunting task and I've just thrown a fast one that's sure to discourage the most capable and confident of parents! But really... how seriously do we take our role as parents?

I hope... VERY SERIOUSLY. Why is it, though, that people get serious about being trained in their education, their careers, their life skills like checkbooks, finances, driving cars, and even cooking but when do they (we) get trained in parenting?

This is why I think parents would be better equipped to train children when they are PROACTIVE. Plan ahead by reading books about the next stage of childhood, talk with seasoned parents, attend parenting classes at the hospital, your church, your community.

Finally, realize the negative behavior in your children can be changed. It is within the POWER OF A PARENT to correct bad behavior. So for example, if your child has picked up bad language or really any bad habit, use positive reinforcement to correct that. We would put out pennies for a child who was too busy to use the bathroom, and any time she would need to change her panties we took a penny away. At the end of the day she kept any remaining pennies. Very quickly she learned to pay better attention to herself!

Parenting is a humbling task that takes wisdom from the Lord. I prayed (and still do) for wisdom each day in raising my four lovies. I often prayed for creative solutions to problems. Changing behavior doesn't need to be frustrating, or seemingly impossible. Use the power the good Lord gave you to direct a child into making good choices! They need you to help them so much.

And now for a refashion...

Here's a pretty sleeveless that I've had for years... always was way too big for me.