Morning Devotionals

by Don Emmitte

 

February 17th, 2008

 

“Be the Parent (Part 3)”

Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate and willful; he who guards himself will be far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:5-6 Amplified Bible).

After you have admitted there is a problem, the second step is to build your confidence. Solomon says you are to “guard” yourself. Implicit in this command is a sense of readiness. Being ready ought to inspire confidence. Often though, our confidence has been eroded over the years of losing “battles” Perhaps we should look at how your parenting confidence eroded in the first place. Many times losing a simple skirmish will trigger the wearing away of a parent's confidence.

So, when you pick a battle, you must win. For example, Dad is in the local pizza parlor with a group of friends. His child has finished eating, but the group as a whole is not done. Little Sally starts to squirm in her chair, and Dad tells her to stay seated. Almost before the words leave his mouth, she jumps down and walks around the table to visit with one of the other adults. "Is this really so bad?" Dad asks himself. "She isn't running around or causing a commotion." So he lets it go and doesn't reinforce the instruction that was given. Is it a big deal for this youngster to leave her seat and walk around the table? No. Is it a big deal to willfully disobey an instruction from her parent? Yes! Dad just lost a battle he chose to fight. His confidence is potentially disintegrating and so is his child's respect for him. It's important to think about your commands before you give them. Pick your battles wisely.

How do you raise your confidence? Snap back to reality! It is NEVER best to allow your child to control your household. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, you are better equipped for the job of being in charge. Your confidence level should be raised just by doing a reality check. Please repeat after me...

I am the parent...THAT is reality.

He (or she) is the child...THAT is reality.

I am older and wiser...THAT is reality.

God has given me the parenting responsibility...THAT is reality.

He will equip me to do the job...THAT is reality.

I can have God-given confidence in my role...THAT is reality.

I am the parent!