Thursday, January 10, 2013

Should I Be My Child's Friend?

Our job as parents is not to be our children's friends, but to be the guiding influence in their lives. It doesn't matter if they "like" us now or even understand why we guide them in the directions we do. As we are faithful to our role in parenting them they will one day understand and be thankful for a strong, loving parent during the years where they lacked wisdom and judgment. Strong, loving parenting will save our children from many griefs in life.

Choosing to be their friend when they are growing up instead of being the loving, guiding authority in their lives does not ultimately bring about the kind of character they need to guide them throughout their life. There is plenty of time to be their friend when they are grown adults living on their own. Children need loving, firm guidance to shape them for a lifetime.

"Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death." ~Proverbs 19:18 (NIV)

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