How have you encouraged your child to be okay with being different? Please post your ideas below.
Can you imagine it? Raindrops beginning to fall and all around are parents holding the little hands of their children as they stare at the outside of a sealed ark. The opportunities these parents had to secure a temporal and more importantly an eternal haven were missed. These parents missed the ultimate purpose of parenting. But there was one. “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear prepared an ark to the saving of his house….” Hebrews 11:7
I believe Noah’s willingness to be different gave his children courage to be different.
Kingdom Ready Kid Example: One day, our son pointed to the birthmark on his face and said. “I don’t like this.” You can only imagine the pain that Sean and I experienced in that moment. Was he being made fun of? How long has he felt this way? After we gained insight into his feelings we eagerly spoke to our son about “this special mark that God gave just him.” We also pointed the moles and birthmarks on each member of the family. Our son was cheerful by the end of our chat. I know this is because the Holy Spirit was working in his heart while we were speaking.
Kingdom Ready Parents: As a parent how different are you willing to be from the parents around you? An area that has posed for some awkward moments in our parenting lives have been regarding entertainment. We are cautious with the avenues to our children’s souls and strive not to compromise in this area even when we are with other families.
Parent Kingdom Ready Example: It can be difficult being in someone else’s home and not approving of what is on television. In the past, I have gently asked if there is something else that the children can watch. (this is with individuals I have a strong relationship with) One time I pulled my son aside and offered him my phone to watch his favorite show instead of what was on the television. Our children do not get a lot of screen time so my son was excited to have a chance to watch “his show.” The setting was very informal and the other child ended up joining my son and they watched “his show” together. A final strategy we have used in relation to helping our children accept our different parenting styles have been having open conversations with our children about honoring God with the things that we watch and listen to. This foundation helps if our children ask why they cannot watch something.
How about you? Please share an example of a time when you have been different from the parents around you? How are you helping your children understand it’s okay for you to be different from the parents around you? How are you accepting this difference?
Teaching children to know Jesus, love Jesus & to be Kingdom Ready...
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