Parenting Tips from Church - Mother's Day

Sunday Sermon Review - May 12, 2013

( from my home church I attend regularly )

This Sunday was Mother's Day. As part of our Mother's Day celebration, our church had two couples share some of their parenting experiences - what works in their home. So I cannot do a "sermon review" this week but I will share a little bit of what was said.

Couple A

- were parents of adult children, have two grandchildren

- family is important

- keep God at the center of your marriage, showing love and respect to each other

- God works in the lives of our children in the midst of our failures as parents

- keep the relationship with your children growing through the years

- suggested to do Sunday lunches together

- be open about sharing your faith with your children

- be diligent to tell your children they are significant to you and to God

- be discerning as to the time and place that you share your thoughts ( teachings ) with your children

- encourage them, being careful to not say too much at the wrong time

- make time for your children

- as a Mom, try hard to be there for your children, and pray for them

- Dads can teach values while doing work projects with the kids

- do fun things together

- parents need time away alone

- babysit your grandkids so your married kids can get away alone for a time

- be interested in your children's lives, their work and their home life

- PRAY - satan wants to destroy our families

- God is the One who brings healing and restoration where hurts have occured

1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Couple B
( parents of married kids with grandchildren )

*prayer 

- important to not be a "control freak" , let go

- prayer intensifies in hard times and long periods of illness

* respect and trust

- when you catch yourself thinking " I wish my children would listen to me" then remember that God is thinking those very same thoughts about you

*gratitude 

- show gratitude even for small things

* be flexible

- your kids need you so change your schedule to meet their needs

* character

- develop good character in your children by including them in family responsibilities

* dates with spouse

- never stop dating your spouse and when you are on your dates make a point to not talk about the children or finances

* Allow your children to make decisions, make mistakes and face the consequences.

- this helps them to learn to think things through before making a decision in the future

* forgiveness

- ask your kids for forgiveness when you have messed up

James 1:4 

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.