Simple thought for today: Although there are times when parenting is overwhelmingly difficult, rest in knowing that progress is being made. Through the years, I have felt like screaming and running my fist in the wall due to frustration in parenting. I was certain that nothing I said was getting through to my pre-teens and teens.
I was wrought with fear that my children would make the same mistakes that I had or choose the wrong path. I sit with many parents throughout the week and hear this same fear from them.
A few weeks ago, something strange, but wonderful happened. My teens were part of a weekend teen conference at my local church. There were more than a thousand teens there from all over the country and it was a phenomenal experience. Parents were able to watch online and we caught bits and pieces of it. Both my teens asked to have friends spend the night. We had a total of 8 teens that were here. It was 12:30am. I was tired, and the kids were being way too loud for that hour. But….on my way back to correct them, I stopped. I stood outside each of their doors and heard the innocent giggles. I stopped and smiled. I didn’t say a word. Continue reading »