Faith in Parenting

Today’s Tuesdays at 2:00 call was about being a positive role model for our kids. When you think about it, we’re “on” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That’s a lot of pressure to set the right example for our kids!

Before you listen to the call, though, I have to tell you something: My kids had a snow day today!

(Now, I know I can be “real” with you, so I don’t feel self-conscious about the noises and distractions you’ll hear on the recording; but I mention it for any visitors who may be listening in for the first time… Setting up car tracks, dispensing snacks, and kissing boo-boos aren’t typical installments of our weekly support call!)

So during the call, we brainstormed a myriad of ways in which we influence our kids: Our Personal Spiritual Growth, Living a Healthy Lifestyle, Managing Our Own Emotions, Taking Care of Ourselves, Maintaining Our Relationships, and Being Financially Responsible, just to name a few.

Our natural tendency might be to start exploring this topic by focusing on those areas where we feel we need some improvement. While that may be a natural first reaction, imagine - instead - exploring the areas where we really excel at being role models to our kids.

If you had to name three areas where you know you’re leaving a positive stamp on your kids’ lives, what would your response be?

See, I think that if we think about it, we’re going to come up with a lot of areas where we already shine at being good role models for our kids!

So what do you notice about these areas where you shine? What makes being a positive role model easier for you in these areas?

Now take it a step further and spend some time this week thinking about these areas and looking at what makes them stand out for you. Is it your passion? Experience? Take notice of the gifts that you bring in these areas, which make your parenting stand out (because you can bet that the areas where you shine don’t necessarily come as easily to everyone else).

As for the areas where you still feel you need improvement, be forgiving of yourself. See if there is anything you can learn from the areas where you do excel, and begin to take baby steps in the direction you want to change.

In addition, realize that it’s a process. No one - including God - expects you to be a perfect mom! We all face challenges, and at the end of the day, in most matters, it’s how we handle our perceived failures that carries the most weight.

(See, even in that we can be positive role models for our kids of what it means to repent and to forgive!)

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 at 5:20 pm and is filed under audio, support, parenting, children. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.