Category: Parenting
Three Reminders for Parents in the Trenches with Young Children
When my mom walked into the room there was dust in the air. Draped over the ceiling fan, filling the curtains, imbedded in the carpet and all over my little brother and sister. It was soot from the cast iron stove—lots of it, strewn all across...
The Enduring Effects of a Parent’s Daily Chatter
About a week ago, a knock came to my bedroom door. “Who is it?” “It’s Lilly!” Playfully, I responded, “Lilly? Who’s Lilly?” “The pretty one, Dad!” “Of course, come on in!” That’s a cute story, but why did she call herself “the pretty one?” Let me...
Young Christian Parents, Enjoy Your Children
I was on the couch reading some relatively important emails that had been piling up from the other elders I serve with, and I couldn’t focus. My 15-month-old had decided that there was nothing more interesting or important in the universe of our living room than...
Overcoming Over-gifting
Christian parents often struggle with ways to keep their children from becoming “spoiled” by material possessions. They recognize the danger of fostering a tendency toward greed, and are careful not to feed this dangerous appetite of the flesh. So, they carefully limit toys, clothes, and other...
When Ball Becomes Baal
It’s rare to see kids playing sports in the neighborhood anymore. We’re now organized and “professionalized”—including uniforms, state-of-the-art facilities, endless trips to the field, competitive coaches, equally competitive parents, and the after-season tournaments designed to give parents “bleacher bottom.” In addition, you’ve got to pay to...
When a Child Dies: Responses From Church History
What follows are the honest and courageous words of four well-known Christians from the past regarding the loss of a child—a much more common occurrence in previous centuries, but still a reality today. Ann Judson (missionary Adoniram Judson’s first wife), after the death of their second...
Who is Writing Your Child’s Story?
Would you like to write the script for your child’s future? Of course you would. Let’s face it, parents are concerned about their kids whether they’re 9 or 39. And they should be . . . in a certain way, and up to a certain point....
Why Parents Use the Rod of Correction
This is for the parent who already affirms the value and appropriateness of using the rod of correction, and who understands the word “rod” in certain places in the Bible to be a literal paddle of some sort. For parents in this category, in a typically...
The Truth About Children With Disabilities
Our third child was born with a rare genetic disorder called Williams Syndrome. She lacks about twenty genes on chromosome 7, causing physical and mental disabilities. Life is now different, as those of you who have a child (or children) with special needs know well. Hospital...
The Sleepover Question: What to Consider Before Saying Yes
“Mom, Billy asked me if I could spend the night. May I pleeeeease?” How would you answer that question from your excited 9-year-old? What kinds of criteria do you consider when evaluating the pluses or minuses of sending your child to spend the night at someone...
