communicates to our kids : I care about you . I ’ m here for you . I ’ m not going anywhere .
It doesn ’ t matter what they have done . It doesn ’ t matter what they have said . It doesn ’ t matter if they have royally messed things up . We can still choose to lean in and love .
Choice # 2 : Listen Well
I ’ m not naturally a good listener . On the contrary , I have the gift of words . ( Some might not call it a gift ahem !)
My tendency is to verbally process situations with my kids . I go straight into sermon mode expecting them to listen while I talk through my feelings about their actions and behavior .
In the last few years , I ’ ve learned the value in waiting before I launch into a long lecture and instead ask my kids questions . Listening well is thinking before you speak , learning to hear what your child is actually trying to communicate ( with their actions , attitudes , and behaviors ), interacting instead of reacting , and becoming a student of your child .
Choice # 3 : Lead with Humility
Leading with humility involves setting a great example for our kids — on the good days and the hard days . It means being willing to ask for forgiveness when we ’ ve messed up , acknowledging our short-comings and failures , and focusing on parenting our kids out of a heart to develop a relationship with them instead of trying to uphold our reputation with others .
Ultimately , it ’ s about living a life that shines Jesus before our kids . Do our kids see an example of Christlikeness in us that they would want to emulate ? Are we saying we love God and want to honor Him and yet going about our day with an attitude of frustration , anger , and unkindness ?
Choice # 4 : Let Go
More and more , as my kids have gotten older , I ’ ve felt God asking me to release them and let go of my desire to make sure that everything runs smoothly in their world . When I stop micromanaging my kids ’ lives ,
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