Parenting is hard! I say mommyhood is the best hood, but it’s some rough initiations and processes to go through. And the older they get, the harder it seems. I have pre-teen(ish) aged kids. I remember saying to them late one night as we were leaving my mother’s home “I can’t wait until ya’ll are old enough to drive me home”. She looked at me with the most serious of expressions and said “Yes, you can wait”, and instantly I got what she meant. I’m sure them being behind the wheel only brings about a new set of jitters and cautions and level of prayers. I’m sure parenting is where we get the saying “faith to faith”.
I think today’s kids have it rougher then we did. A lot more of them have to deal with broken homes, which often means two sets of rules…and I think it disrupts their sense of belonging. Aside from their hormones threatening to erupt (which is normal) they have to deal with the world forcing them into growing up faster . It’s nothing now to see a middle school aged girl dressed (and developed) like a teenager, but still have a desire to jump rope.Let’s face it, these kids are over-sexualized. Early. Now that everyone is so technologically savvy, 4 years olds have tablets and 2 year olds work smart phones better than their grandparents. This means that they are exposed to a lot of indecent, immoral content. Bed times aren’t as common.Speech and texting are both
There are pressures we face as mothers. We are constantly figuring out where to draw the line….we want them to be up to date but not fast. We want them to well rounded and educated, but not know too much too soon. A lot of this we have to feel our way through. But as mothers, we have to be consistent in raising them in the nurture and admonition of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 6:4). We have to raise them to have a heart for Christ, even when the world competes for their attention. Remember last week, we talked about the detriments that come with being carnal? Read about it here. As parents we are their spiritual models, and spiritual molders. We can’t let them just do anything and everything. Which means sometimes we have to say no. Which means we have to live by our convictions, and make them live by them as well. The things we have learned about this walk, we MUST pass on to our children. Deuteronomy 4:9 says “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
I recently allowed my oldest to attend a Bat Mitzvah. Before he left I pulled him to the side and reminded him to respect everyone’s place of worship, just as he does our place of worship and also to remember that he represents Jesus and me, at all times. *insert church mother 30 second, silent stare….and he got the picture. I let him go because at his age, he knows who he is in Christ, not easily influenced…he is a good kid with a good head on his shoulders. He should know that Christianity is not the only religion, and while we put our faith in it, others do not. AND, the party was well chaperoned. 🙂 My point is, had he been a different kind of kid, he may not have been able to attend.
I monitor my children’s email and texts. Not because I’m snooping. I’m grown, it’s my house and I paid for it all, so I don’t subscribe to the snooping concept. But anyway I look through it to see what kind of kid they are when I’m not around. I brought this up because, recently, I moseyed on over to twitter and started looking at older teens pages and it made me clutch my pearls. If you were here with me as I read, I’d be clutching your pearls too! These are church kids (I was one so I know how it goes), sweet, mild mannered individuals who might as well say “yes ma’am” and “no ma’m”, they act so well put together. Yet their speech was abhorable and the things they spoke on was utterly ridiculous and disgusting. As a parent, I have to wonder do their parents know….are they too busy trying to be their friends to correct this type of behavior? And why do these kids think it’s ok? Don’t they sit in church every week?
As a mom, I am not judging, believe me. My point is that we all have to be conscientious and acutely aware of our children these days, whether they are 5 or 17 and 1/2. The enemy is out to destroy them, just like he is out to destroy you. Getting them early makes his job a whole lot easier later on. Fight for you children, pray over them, talk to them, and admonish them to live right. Especially when they are under your roof! Proverbs 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it”. Most of us have lived this verse. I may have messed up a time or two but believe me I came running back, screaming “Jesus! GGGGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZUSSSSSSS I’m sawry!!”.
I want to encourage you, mommy. Don’t grow tired and quit. Don’t think “Oh well, he ain’t listening, guess he’s just gonna do what he wants to”. Don’t allow mess in your home, thinking, “it’s better they do it here then out there”. Don’t allow bratty behavior because right now it’s ‘cute’. Later, they make ugly adults. Woman of God, be the mother that God intended. And if you feel things have gotten out of hand, there is still time to reverse things and put them back on course. A little prayer goes a mighty long way. When you are feeling weary, give it God. He’s all strong and stuff! No father in the picture? Give it to God! He’s awesome enough to fill any empty shoes. I’m telling you what I know! Link up with other mothers. You know how I feel about sisterhoodship! We need like-minded women to encourage us and strengthen us. Motherhood. It’s a tiring job with an awesome responsibility and big rewards but remember, you are totally graced for it!
