Kids Say The Darndest Things

The other day one of my twitter friends (I hate the term followers) tweeted that her son said she would be a better mom if she didn't make him read books. I responded with a tweet of how Sienna told me she wished she had a better mom. We both laughed at how kids think they know what constitutes a "good/better" mom.

I know my child sounded pretty ungrateful and bratty. Some of you are probably even wondering what my response was. Well, we were going through a critical point in our lives. Sienna was still reeling from the break up of her father and I. For her to say that it was truly out of character. So I was sure to give her some grace by saying, "I want you to have a better mom too. That's why I pray and ask God to help me everyday." I didn't say it in a harsh tone. I was quite calm because I was exhausted and didn't have the strength to fuss. Besides the Bible says a kind word turns away anger (Proverbs 15:1) This is true because the conversation did not go any further from there.

Has your child ever critiqued your parenting skills? Better yet has your child ever said something to you that made you question yourself as a mother. I must admit it hurt me to hear Sienna say that even though I know I am an awesome mom. I knew she was hurting deep inside and that was her way of expressing it. It was important for me to handle the situation with care. So I went to my bed and cried to God for his direction and comfort.

The next time you get down about your parenting decisions ask yourself: Do I look to the interest of what's best for my child? Is my child relatively happy and healthy for the most part? Are we growing as a family in Christ? If you have answered "yes" to these three questions then you can rest easy. Don't worry about the the decisions you have made that may not have panned out. Move forward and remember there is no condemnation for them who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

Thou Shall Teach The Word

Recently I had the pleasure of learning that Valen, the son of one my blog readers Corina, was baptized this past Saturday. She shared with me that Valen's biological father (her ex) is an Atheist while she is a Christian. It was decided when he was born that Valen would choose his own faith. At the age of 11 he chose to be baptized as a Christian! This a perfect example of Parenting Commandment #10 Thou Shall Teach The Word.

I am so happy I delayed writing a post on this commandment. Though I had it all figured out in my mind which of my stories I would share; I just hadn't time to post it. I was starting to feel bad because I knew my readers were expecting a new post. However, I am so glad that I didn't have time or else I would've missed the opportunity to share Valen's good news!

Though Corina is now married to a wonderful man, Valen's father still has some influence in his life. Corina's son is well aware of his father's beliefs and could have easily wanted to be like him. Don't all little boys want to be like their dad? One would think that a child would grow up confused by having parents with two totally different views on God. That is not the case here because Corina parents by Commandment #9 Thou Shall Live Authentically. She not only teaches her son The Word of God but she lives it in her daily life. Valen is able to clearly see a distinct difference between the lives of his mother and biological father.

I'm not saying that his father lives a bad life but for all of us believers we know and understand what life is like when you are walking with Jesus and when you are not. I do believe that Valen made an informed decision to choose Jesus Christ as his personal savior because of the life he has seen his mother live before him.

When I was a hospice nurse one of my patients told me that her favorite scripture was "Nothing gives me greater joy than to know my children are walking in the way"-3 John 1:4. At that time I wasn't a parent but I thought it was sweet. It wasn't until my own child committed her life to Christ on March 23, 2014 that that scripture took on a whole new meaning.

As I read Cori's email I cried tears of joy. I could feel her excitement. I know that feeling all too well. I am sure as a mother she gets comfort in knowing that her son has a relationship with God that will sustain him for the rest of his life. The Bible says we should train a child up in the way he should go and when he is old he won't part from it (Proverbs 22:6).

Can You Really Forgive and Forget?

I can't even begin to express my gratitude for all of you who read/follow my blog. I want to share with you an opportunity that I had to be a guest speaker on Right to Real Real Love Radio. This episode is on forgiveness. Please click the link and enjoy. Your feedback and you sharing your experiences would be appreciated. The final parenting commandment will be posted later in the week. Be blessed!
http:/righttoreallove.com/forgive-and-forget/

Thou Shall Live An Authentic Life

I've never been one to participate on social media until recently. Though I'm an extrovert and will open up under the right settings and conditions I like to keep my life pretty private. If you have a child like mine all of that can go out of the window in one conversation. Commandment #9 Thou Shall Live Authentically will surely help you survive those moments.

Sienna is a happy go lucky child who loves to talk and share. Not only does she like to share what's going on in her world but she shares what's happening in mine. My little one never says anything inappropriate and she doesn't reveal deep family issues that she may be privy to. However, she doesn't hesitate to talk openly about the things she finds funny or interesting.

My latest encounter with my daughter "putting me on blast" was at her friend's birthday party. I walked her inside, introduced myself, and went back to my car for a webinar. While I was attending my meeting Sienna was being the life of the party. She had her audience captivated and I was about to have details of my life put on front street (Luke 12:3).

When I returned to the party I was greeted with, "Congratulations! We hear you're getting married." To say I was caught off guard would be an understatement. I was blown for a loop. I responded cheerfully, "I'm not getting married. I don't even have a man." One of the moms was quick to tell me that Sienna said that I told her I was waiting for God to send me a husband and that he was on his way. When I heard that I thanked God that I was no longer a person who lived a reckless life.

As the party continued another mom told me that they have learned so much about me through my child. Had someone said this to me 5 years ago I would've been worried. Change is possible! I'm doing what is right and no longer have anything to hide. I stopped acting a certain way around a group of people and then switched out when I was around another group. God's Word says in James 1:8 that a double minded individual is an unstable one...indeed I was.

We should always strive to set an example by doing good and to show integrity and seriousness in everything that we do (Titus 2:7) "Everything" includes what is done in private as well as public. Do I always get it right? Of course not. But I don't always get it wrong either. There are times I slip up and say a word or two that's not pleasing to God but my over all life style is Godly and full of integrity.

What are you teaching your child(ren) about living an authentic life? Do you tell them not to let visitors/callers know that you are home when you really are? What seems like little white lies lay the foundation of dishonesty in their lives. Do you put on fronts for the public when you're really a nightmare behind closed doors? When our kids see us acting this way it gives them the green light. Sometimes you can't blame a child who acts picture perfect around the house but gets wild when they're with their peers. They only mimic what they see.