Three Things Parents Should Stop Doing - Part 2

As Christian parents, we desire to pass our faith onto our children, but honestly, sometimes we just aren't sure how to make it happen. Our motives are right, but our methods are far from effective. Over the next few days, I want to talk about 3 things parents should stop doing.

These are things I've observed over the years. They are habits that we often unknowingly pick up hoping that they'll help us, but they can actually hurt us.

Our last post talked about how we should stop being super spiritual and be Jesus to our kids by loving them and spending time with them.

Today I want to talk about something I see many of us get hung up on.

2. Stop Trying to be your child's best friend.

Look, I know you think your life is "Gilmore Girls" and you're Lorelai and your kid is Rory, but the truth is, life isn't a TV show. What works on Netflix or CW isn't going to work in your home.

Your child doesn't need you to be their best bud, they need you to be a parent.

Here's something I think we often don't understand - If we try to be their buddy now, we may succeed, but we will probably lose them later. If we are their parent now, we will eventually have a friend for life.

Don't give in to the short-term temptation to be liked.

When you and I try to be the buddy, at some point the role of "BFF" and "parent" will conflict with one another. At that point, we have to make a choice, a choice that will most likely result in a lose-lose situation.

My advice, for what it's worth - be the parent. Our job is not to make our kids happy or make sure that they always like us. Our job is to raise them to be responsible adults who love Jesus and those around them - even when they hate you for it.

There are times in life when being a parent calls for making your child do what he or she does not want to do.

Contrary to what culture says, doing this does not make you mean or abusive. This simply means you are being a responsible parent. Stop letting little Johnny rule your home. Stop giving your son or daughter everything they want just so they will like you and be "happy."

Stop thinking about your short-term happiness and comfort and start thinking about their long-term growth and maturity.

Stop Trying to Be Your Child's Best Friend and Start Being Their Parent



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