Would you please take a minute and help me by answering one question?
I am doing some research to determine a strong need in the world of parenting.
Maybe you are a young parent, a parent of adult children, a grandparent, or simply an observer of others who are parenting (any age) children. I would love your insights, please.
If you could narrow the need for support to one specific area in parenting, what would it be?
Parenting fails and regrets? Click To TweetWhere do you stumble, doubt yourself, look back and have regrets? What do you see people doing that makes you question them or yourself in the area of parenting?
ANYTHING goes! Simply respond by answering in the comments section below.
YAY, you! And BIG THANKS for helping me!
(I’ll let you in on more of my project soon!)
I appreciate your time. So excited to see the results! I promise I will share.
Both my grown children love but I wish I had started them in Sunday School sooner when they were little…
Thanks for getting the ball rolling, Peggy! Also, just a note to everyone. If you don’t see your comment posted right away, don’t worry! I have to go in and approve those. They will all be shared (if you want). If you don’t wish to have your shared, please feel free to answer by email! Thanks!
My son is grown but I wish I had a tribe of moms around me and some seasoned moms also to help navigate parenting and to give me the support I needed and craved as a young parent.
Michele, I think this is a common thread of so many of us moms. It’s so important to have that tribe, but it seems maybe time and energy depletion makes it hard to gather that support. Thanks so much for your time and great thoughts on this! Blessings and Hugs.
As a parent and teacher, I’d like to see a stronger support group/social network for Christian parents…it’s hard to say no when everyone around you says yes and your kids want to be like everyone else…..it makes life lonely too…. As a teacher, I set up a beginning of the year get together for my kinder parents and encourage them to exchange emails/phone numbers and I mention this to them…that it is harder to be a Christian Parent and they need to yoke themselves with friends accordingly.
Lula, thank you for sharing this wisdom! The support and a network of parents that agree to resist the cultural pull is such a great need right now. I love that you are influencing young parents this way. I appreciate you taking the time to share this valuable input. Blessings to you!
I think teaching our children more about assaults of the enemy and how to stand against the wiles of the evil one. Not only teaching the love of JESUS but being realistic about enemy of our souls and mind.
Gay, this is a huge thing I wish I had communicated to mine. Thanks so much for your input! Love you and hope to see you soon.
When our kids were growing up my regret is letting their schedules dictate everything in our family. Too much involvement in youth sports and not enough family time together. Living that crazy hectic life put a strain in all areas of our lives.
Wow, Eva, yes! This is so prevalent now and only seems to be increasing. Thank you always for your insight!
I made a lot of mistakes, and it is painful to recall them…..but would like to say what I would do differently if I had the second chance (I’m a Granny now, so that won’t happen). I would NOT give them everything they want, but encourage them to learn to work. My Dad wisely saw our desires for things that money could buy, and he was so creative: he gave us jobs around the farm, like painting a roof, or whatever, and he paid us for them. Also, if we came home with our report card, we got a bonus of $5/ subject we got “A” in. We became highly motivated early on, from Jr High on. One report card earned me $25, and it was enough to buy a new bike in those days! My first purchase that I worked for. Long before I could drive, I got a job working at a dog kennel. Dad had to drive me to work and pick me up. I earned $1/hour, and part of the job was to play with the puppies so they would be “used to people”!! That job was a treasure. (Remember this was in the 1950’s, when a letter could be sent from New York to Los Angeles for 3 cents)
Thank you so much for sharing a little bit of your story, Charity! I understand the pain of recall and have thought of things I would do differently so many times. I would encourage you to remember and rehearse that the Lord has forgiven those mistakes, and all the rest. It’s not easy, I know, and has been a constant battle for me as well. I especially thank you for your honesty and wisdom on this. Hugs and love.
One day i sent my son to the shop to buy some additional food as you know here in the refugee camp the food provided by wfp it is not enough they give us food of a week to use it for a month. I got a temporary job somewhere and our agreement was after two weeks he pays me. I call my wife and she was pregnant almost to give birth for a baby so very tired, i call her and give her that little payment and she told me there is no food inside, she asks me please can you go and buy some food to the shop? I replied yes but i am also so very tired please send our boy so that he may go and buy. She sends the boy reaching on the way almost arrived to the shop he drops that money and he fears to come back home. One of my neighbour come and told us i see your son weeping somewhere i asked what happened he tells me money got lost and i fear to go back because my parents will beat me, i mysemf stand up and go with the remaining money and buy food. I saw the son wept and told her that you could come at home and tell us, i forgave him and he feels good and free. Thank
Nyange, Your heart is for your children. God is blessing you greatly as you bless the children in the camp. Thank you for sharing your story. Much love and prayers for you and your family.
My observation from my daughter’s family of 3 middle school age boys: trying to raise godly young men and keep Christian standards in a world that is constantly challenging these standards. Language, mobile phone use, gaming stations, overnights with friends are a few of the sticking points. I think trying to maintain consistency in discipline and values taught at home is a tough go in today’s culture. Having a good church which reinforces these values is a must!
Lucy,Thank you for sharing your insight and wisdom. This totally sums up the struggle of so many. You are a true gem in my life. Love you dearly.
My main regret in raising my children (& step children) is not fleeing an abusive situation earlier. I see now how it has affected them in their relationships. It breaks my heart because I feel to blame for teaching them how to tolerate the abuse, and allow people to walk all over them. My advice to others would be to realize that getting out is better than trying to pick up all the pieces later.
Joyce, This is a regret we share. This cycle of guilt, shame, and regret is one I lift to the Lord each time it tries to trap me again. I will pray this also with you. Since we cannot go back and undo it all, Lord. We thank you that you take it and make it beautiful as You are the only One who can! Thank You, Lord. In the name of Jesus and by His precious blood. Amen. Big Hugs, Sister.
One (of many) things I would have done differently is I would have concentrated more on sharing experiences and less on stuff!
Penny, that is straight to the point. I believe this is a real key! Thank you for sharing.
I regret not being more courageous. I wish my children had seen a mother who stood up to injustice, hateful crude statements and actions.
Kim, this so speaks straight to my heart. Thank you for sharing. You and your openness are appreciated and valued greatly.
Hi Jill! As a conservative Christian and the mother of 3 middle-schoolers in public school, the biggest challenge I feel as a parent is my God-given responsibility to raise them on TRUTH served by a biblical world view, which stands in great contrast to the everyday worldly culture in which we live and raise our family. This challenge has always existed for like-minded parents but I find it increasingly difficult in today’s culture where views once appreciated and championed by those in leadership (school, local government, even the church) are now shamed and silenced. The world’s push through social media and technology on young minds is another assault and battle foreign to us parents (ours didn’t have to deal with it for us at that age). We have our boys plugged into church and youth group, we share God’s Word and cover them in prayer so that they are hearing our parental guidance repeated from others, but the boys still want ‘the world’ in their lives. I certainly understand that and remember being young once too, but in response to your question, convincing my boys of whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, and ‘that’ being subjected to a world voice that constantly negates, is what I see as a great challenge for parents today.
Rebecca, Thanks so much for your time and care in responding. I agree this is a challenge that will only become increasingly difficult, and will force big decisions for the church as a people. “Will we stand together against the culture and for what we know to be best for our children?” and “Where and how is that line drawn?” I speak blessings over you and your family in the name of Jesus, for His Glory and your good!