Parenting.
It is so much harder than I ever thought it would be. Yes, it also more rewarding than I ever thought it would be.
I love my children with all that I am. However, the molding and shaping and pointing them to the Savior is the hardest thing ever. Seeing even glimpses of who they are becoming, rejoicing when then make the right choices, the hugs, the kisses, hearing "I love you Mom" are some of the best things ever.
Lately we seem to be struggling so much with respect....or the lack of. Whether it is towards me, Rick, their sibling, or even others. The world wants my child to think they have rights. That they are allowed to speak to me in any way they want. That I have no right to expect things of my children. My Bible teaches me, and yes them, differently.
So how do you teach your children to be respectful? How do you handle it when they are not? How do you handle it when they get mad at you for things that are completely out of your control? Like you HAVE to go to the grocery store and your child is mad at you for that because they really want to stay home and play. Like they are running a fever so your plans for swimming get canceled. Like every time something doesn't go their way and somehow it is always your fault.
There are times that the disrespect is blatant and handling it isn't difficult. Other times I feel uncertain as to how to handle it. Disrespect is a huge pet-peeve of mine and frankly I'm exhausted with dealing with it on a daily basis. I feel like my child's punching bag some days. (Not literally punching me of course, this momma isn't crazy I won't stand for mess like that!)
Don't get me wrong. I have good kids. We could be dealing with a lot worse things right now I realize that. I just feel like I'm hitting a brick wall on this one. Last night while tucking my youngest in (and the one who seems to be fighting me the hardest on this issue) I was answering her question and taking her back to what God's Word said and she said "Mom, I know this may be mean to God, but I wish you wouldn't always bring everything back to what God says." A part of me wanted to do a fist pump and scream "YES, she hears me. She gets that it always comes back to what God says." and the other part was just sad that she didn't want to hear it. I did tell her that it was not only mean to God, but broke His heart that she would feel that way and that is was disrespectful to Him since she has Him in her heart and He wants to guide her for her own good.
We talked a little longer and while she didn't say anything else ugly she also didn't say anything positive. We prayed I left still feeling like I didn't get through and I don't know what else to do. This morning has been a roller coaster of disobedience and disrespect. I am trying to keep my calm and patience, but feel like soon I'm not gonna be doing so well at that.
So what DO you do to teach your teach your children respect and obedience? What do you do when they don't follow through?
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