“Kid’s, stop fighting!” This may be a common phrase, but it doesn’t make it an effective phrase. “Stop touching me!!” “I was here first!” “Give me that!” Ah, yes, the familiar sounds of sibling rivalry. Sadly, there is no formula to eliminate sibling squabbles, but it can help to think of fighting as communication—albeit notContinue reading “Teach Your Kids to Fight.”
Tag Archives: respectful parenting
What is “Biblical Discipline”?
We’ve got two words here, “biblical” and “discipline.” Let’s start with the easier one, “discipline.” First and foremost, it is not a euphemism. “Spanking,” “discipline,” and “the rod” are examples of euphemisms when they are used in place of hitting a child. These euphemisms are misleading and deceptive, designed to minimize the reality of whatContinue reading “What is “Biblical Discipline”?”
The Truth About Consequences
Should consequences be in the Christian parent’s tool box? Absolutely! Consequences can serve as powerful teaching moments for children; however, too often parents twist them into thinly veiled punishments, ultimately diminishing the valuable lesson that could be learned. Let’s find out how to effectively use consequences and why it might be best kept at theContinue reading “The Truth About Consequences”
To Raise Generous Children, Say No to Forced Sharing!
What to do instead? Teach them how to take turns. There is nothing inherently wrong with sharing, but the concept is vague and abstract. We need to resist the urge to “fix” the problem and instead resolve to teach our children how to be responsible for solving their own problems, A far more impactful “houseContinue reading “To Raise Generous Children, Say No to Forced Sharing!”
Flourishing Homes and Families Q&A
Discover the 5 burning questions I asked the authors of my new favorite parenting book: The Flourishing Family! Q: Amanda and David, can you tell me a little bit about your backgrounds and what you hope the book will achieve? A: Examining Christian parenting through the lens of sound theology is really important to us.Continue reading “Flourishing Homes and Families Q&A”
Stop Telling Children What Not to Do.
Giving directions in the negative form (what not to do) can even be confusing for adults, not to mention a small child with limited cognitive abilities. Instead, say what you want to see. To encourage our young children to cooperate (or “listen”), our words must clearly communicate exactly what it is we want from them.Continue reading “Stop Telling Children What Not to Do.”
The Easiest Parenting Tool You’re Not Using
This easy switch lands itself in my Top 3 Tools Every Parent Needs list. Check it out: “I know you want to keep playing, and it’s time for bed.” Did you catch that? The and instead of but? This simple change is not some magic parenting hack to get your children to listen to you—notContinue reading “The Easiest Parenting Tool You’re Not Using”
“Mom, Do I Have to go to Church!?”
“For it is throughist regular church attendance that ye shall be saved.” Oh shoot- that’s not in Bible? How about, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so noneContinue reading ““Mom, Do I Have to go to Church!?””
Parenting – Getting It Right by Andy & Sandra Stanley
Pass ❌ Except for a handful of gems here and there, this book mainly consists of anecdotes from Andy and Sandra’s childhoods and their experiences as parents. I’ll spare you story-time with the Stanleys and share with you some key takeaways from the book. A couple issues I had with the book: One issue wasContinue reading “Parenting – Getting It Right by Andy & Sandra Stanley”
“I Was Spanked and I Turned Out Fine.”
I hear this from many people and for those who it’s true, I’m glad to hear that. Really, I am. Young people can experience hardship, trauma, or even abuse, and overcome it. They persevere, heal wounds, and go on to be amazing adults. I know a few. But, that does not mean this is theContinue reading ““I Was Spanked and I Turned Out Fine.””
“I Have to Spank my Toddler to Teach Her Not to Run Into the Street.”
No you don’t. A young child cannot be held accountable for their own safety. It is an unreasonable assumption to expect a child to choose to avoid danger or to reliably comply with verbal instructions when safety is on the line. For instance, if a young child were to be struck by a car, theContinue reading ““I Have to Spank my Toddler to Teach Her Not to Run Into the Street.””
Grace Colored Glasses
Undeserved grace invites lasting heart change. When your child exhibits undesirable behavior, instead of spewing out blame and shame, try viewing the situation through a lens of grace. Pause and choose to look for the most positive, perhaps even generous, explanation of your child’s behavior to avoid making parenting choices based in the worst-case scenario.Continue reading “Grace Colored Glasses”
Resources for Christian Discipline 