Insights into Raising Children
By soundmindandheart In Uncategorized On March 2, 2015
Family Counseling
1 John 3:18
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. NASB
Parenting is the toughest, most wonderful job that I have ever had. My God has a real sense of humor because he gave me two children, one who is almost a genius with ADHD and the other who is ODD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Fun fact the ODD child graduated valedictorian from High School. They are both grown now and functioning, happy young adults. I raised them as a single parent with God’s help. Believe me, we had our good days and our bad days. We did everything together including visitation with their Dad each week.
Did I want to quit at times? Yes, I must admit that there were a couple of times that I wanted to run away as my mother threatened us with. (I do not recommend this technique with kids at all. I am just validating the feeling.) The thing that kept me going was my relationship with the Lord. He never failed me. He always showed me a way to make things work. He was always with me. Thank you Lord!
There were many, many great times. Many funny memories come to mind now. For us, these times revolved around the holidays, Church or sporting events. Both of my children were very busy with activities. My theory is that if they are busy they are less likely to get into trouble. It worked most of the time.
One of the most important things that I covered with my children is that being honest and genuine in love with people is the key. Don’t fake it until you make it. Love generously in as many ways as you can demonstrate.
You ask about the sandpaper, unlovable people in your life. Yes, they are to be loved most especially because there is always something for us to learn about ourselves from them. Love is a choice, an action that we do. Even when that sandpaper person is your child. I do not have ADHD. My mind does not work like my child’s does. So many days that child was a sandpaper person to me, but I always chose love and understanding. And I learned so much about myself because of the ADHD. It was difficult at times, but God always showed me how to do it.
The other vital key to raising good children is making sure that they know the Lord and are in Church and or Christian School. We must saturate their lives and minds with God’s Word and Way.
When you have done these things, then you can claim the promise from
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. NASB
I am still waiting for my children to come back to Church and God on their own. I know that they will because I trained them the right way.
If you have challenges with your children, we would love to help you. Please visit our website www.soundmindandheart.com for more information or to place a prayer request.
May God Bless You!
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