Journal: Putting on the "MOM" hat... or the "DAD" hat...

[LadyLionness]

One thing my husband complained about me is how much time I spent "talking" to my kids.  He feels that it is wasteful and could be better used elsewhere.  At the end, he have finally come to agree to disagree and state that he and I have different priorities in life... the e-mail below echos my heart and how I have lived most of my life as a MOM since the age of 16...
 

 

[LadyLionness]

Guide and Counsel
 
Today's Scripture
 
"Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." (Proverbs 22:6 NLT)
 
Thoughts for Today
 
 Be available to counsel and guide your teen. Continue to teach him. Be open and honest in answering his or her questions about substance abuse, sexual issues, and dating. Assure him with not only your words, but with your responses, that he can talk to you about anything. Help him understand the dangers of pornography and do not allow it in your home. Continue to encourage involvement in sports or other activities.
 
 These are the years when your adolescent will decide about college, vocational school, or work after completing high school. Urge him (require if necessary) to finish high school. Although he might not see the need now, it will be a decision he will never regret. Share with him the reasons you feel it is important.
 
Consider this . . .
 
 Help your teenager find after-school work if he is interested. A part-time job is an excellent teacher of responsibility and can provide extra money for your child. This can be especially important if he is saving for further schooling.
 
 Encourage him to save his money and not spend it frivolously. Let him see you save on a regular basis. Perhaps you could even offer to match the money he is saving to buy something he really wants.
 
 If your teen has a part-time job, be sure work does not interfere with his school studies and he is not becoming excessively fatigued. Encourage, but don't require, tithing of his income. Guide him in good spending habits.
 
Prayer . . .
 
 Father, help me guide my teenager along the right paths. Teach me to really listen to him and not be judgmental. Help me keep the doors of communication open. And help me be a living example of the things he needs to learn. Also help me to be humble enough to teach him by sharing mistakes I've made and the consequences I suffered. In Jesus' name . . .
 
These thoughts were drawn from …
 
Godly Parenting: Parenting Skills at Each Stage of Growth by N. Elizabeth Holland, M.D. This study addresses parenting skills from the time of conception until the child has reached adulthood. It suggests methods for raising healthy, godly children in an increasingly secular society. Specific emphasis is placed on communication and teaching skills, discipline, protection and sexual issues at each age. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
 

[DonJuan]

😄

[LadyLionness]

What kind of paths did y'all tried to direct your kids onto?
 
My older ones... my ex was very much against God... so I directed them towards
1.  Education being a priority.
2.  Love each other and be there for each other and share and share alike.
3.  If you are going to do something, reach for the top.  In 4th grade, Cat came home and announced that she would like to run for vice-president of student council.  I told her that if we are going to do it, we should go for the top.  The whole family can draw... so we set out to work on her campaign posters.... I remember drawing a bunch of marvel and dc comics... She won by a landslide. 
 
For these smaller ones...
1.  Put God first.  He should be the first one they turn to in time of need.  And for them to learn to abide in Christ so that He could work in their lives.... and to live a life of prayers.
 
2.  Education is their only job until they are done with college.
 
3.  Family before friends.
 
4.  Never forget that they are Hmong... and what it means to BE Hmong.

[DonJuan]

I just let them be.

And teach them to look within for all answers.

[LadyLionness]

I just let them be.

And teach them to look within for all answers.

I do that too... but I teach them to draw upon God's wisdom and direction when they are stump.

[Peaches]

 

LL, have you ever thought about doing an audio of this....I wouldn't mind listening to something like this on my long commute to and from work or traveling.

[LadyLionness]

LL, have you ever thought about doing an audio of this....I wouldn't mind listening to something like this on my long commute to and from work or traveling.

What do you mean by doing an audio of this?  My ramblings or the stuff that I am pasting?

[LadyLionness]

AUGUST 10
 
Get 'Em While They're Young
 
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. PSALM 119:9
 
 For many years George Barna has been a leading researcher on Church and cultural trends in America. When he appeared on our radio broadcast, I posed a question I'd always wanted to ask him: "What was the most stunning set of data you ever received?"
 
 This is a man who isn't stunned by much. Even though he's become well known for exposing very troubling patterns in our society, his findings rarely surprise him.
 
 This one did. He took a national sample of 13-year-olds and compared them with a sampling of adults comprising every age segment. On 12 core spiritual perspectives, he discovered no difference between any of the groups. In other words, the things a person believes by age 13 are pretty much what he or she will die believing.
 
 This tells me something: We don't need to wait until our children are teenagers before we expect them to be able to understand major biblical truths. Things like being saved by grace through faith, not by good deeds. Things like how our hearts are naturally inclined to sin and that as a result, they need forgiveness.
 
 As Charles Spurgeon said, "A child who knowingly sins can savingly believe."
 
 Dwight Moody was speaking to a group of children in Scotland when he rhetorically asked them, "What is sin?" One of the children replied, "Sin is transgression of the law of God"—straight out of the catechism. Amazed, Moody responded, "Children, you must thank God that you have grown up in Scotland"—where they were systematically taught the Bible from an early age.
 
 I pray that our children will thank God they have grown up in our homes, where they are learning the Scriptures and learning how to live.
 
DISCUSS
 
 See if you can list 8 to 10 vital Christian truths or concepts that you need to begin to teach (or continue teaching) to your kids.
 
PRAY
 
 Pray that God would cement your own beliefs and convictions more clearly in your mind and show you how to communicate them in real-life ways to your family and others.
 

[LadyLionness]

—When your children ask, “Who’s in charge?” tell them.
—When they mutter, “Who loves me?” take them in your arms and surround them with affection.
—When they defiantly challenge you, win decisively. Talk to them. Set up clear boundaries and then enforce the rules firmly and fairly.
—Expose your children to interesting things. Help them use their time wisely.
—Raise them in a stable family with two parents who love each other and enjoy a strong marriage.
—Teach them to love the Lord and understand His Word.
—Treat them with respect and dignity and expect the same in return. —Set aside time to build friendship and love between generations. Then enjoy the sweet benefits of competent parenthood and a wonderful family!

 

• How are we doing on this list of parenting basics?
• Where do we see progress?
• Which ones need special attention?

[LadyLionness]

I think I have failed in the use their time wisely.  I must learn this and teach it to my kids... especially in the world of technology that takes so much away from our REAL lives....
 
I also failed in providing a stable home of two loving parents who loves each other...    I have resolved to do things differently, so hopefully everything will continue to improve.
 
 
                                                                                             
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

The Bottom line
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
 
 The contradictory advice given in popular culture about what children need is enough to drive a conscientious parent to distraction. In days past-especially in Laos and Thailand, moms and dads learned child‐rearing from their parents, who learned from theirs. Rightly or wrongly, they had a sense of confidence about what they were doing.  Now, life is so different, so fast paced... we are torn in so many direction... we lose focus of what is important.
 
Father, thank You for the timeless wisdom that we can follow to help us raise our children right. May we parent wisely and lovingly, trusting in Your blessing. Amen.