As parents, when we consider the frustrations we have trying to raise our children, most of us feel we are having a far more difficult time today than parents had with previous generations.
I think parents down through the ages have probably all made the same claim, but the role of being parent doesn’t change and kids are kids anywhere in the world.
The environment in which kids grow up is the variable. This usually dictates expectations and it also has a big bearing on the way parents perform their roles.
As parents, do you sometimes get the feeling your family doesn’t really need you – they just use you? It can happen to many parents when their children reach the all-knowing, independent age of adolescence.
Until we become parents, it’s hard to really understand the real meaning of unconditional love. Jesus gave us the complete example when he suffered and died for us that we might have eternal life. We soon learn of the need to be constantly giving of ourselves, our time, our money, our energy and our patience.
When they are young, kids can be coerced into helping with the dishes, they can be taught the value of maintaining a tidy room and will often be heard to actually offer help with the maintenance jobs around the home.
Some of today’s adolescents see it beneath their station in life to perform menial housekeeping tasks. Kissing parents in front of their peers is just too embarrassing. As for mowing grass and having a tidy room, that’s just all too much to expect.
It is my view that today’s society doesn’t seem to view the family structure with the same values we as parents should try to instil into our children. It might not be fashionable, but we still need to teach our kids principles such as self-discipline, manners and respect for themselves and others. This is something their tablets and iPads can’t do.
Being a parent is usually seen to be the cause of most of our grey hairs and many sleepless nights. They keep us poor; they frustrate us and make us angry. Yet, they can also melt our hearts so easily with some of their simple, yet loving ways. Their cuddles when we are sad, their caring concern when we are not well and their hand made gifts and cards on our birthdays.
When they perform in school activities or sporting events, whether they achieve of not, we feel so proud just being there cheering them on. Deciding to always be available when needed at whatever age, lets them know they can be assured that our love and support will always be there for them.
If God is as concerned for us, His children, as we are for our own kids, I believe that as long as we keep trying to be effective parents, this should entitle us to an automatic entry ticket into heaven.
I’m Peter mack and that’s how I feel.