If you’re like me, you may have discovered that you have a blind spot when you’re driving your car. It’s that small square of pavement that can’t be seen from your side or rearview mirror, and it causes me to glance over my shoulder quite often when I start to change lanes on the highway.
One of my fears is that I will have a blind spot when it comes to my children. I never want to be the parent who has no clue what their child is really like or how he acts when he’s away from them. I desire to know my children, encouraging their strengths and correcting their weaknesses. However, I also recognize the danger of concentrating so strongly on small faults that I miss some huge character flaw.
Therefore, I have come up with five strategies that I hope will help eliminate any blind spots from developing.
- Prayer. I pray that if my child is doing something wrong, she will be found out so that correction can take place. I also need to ask for insight into areas of my children’s lives that I may be overlooking.
- Spend time with my children, interacting as well as observing. How does she respond to authority? What type of influence do her friends have on her?
- Be approachable. If a teacher or other adult comes to me about my child’s misbehaviour, may I react with grace, not immediately defending my child, but taking the account seriously.
- Ask my husband. He often sees our children in a different light and has valuable input about attitudes and actions that need to be addressed.
- Give up on perfect. After all, my goal is not to raise a perfect child, but a Godly one who knows how to ask for forgiveness when she’s made mistakes. As I accept that each of my children will struggle at times, I can be open to helping them grow to be the young ladies that God would have them to be.
photo courtesy public domain pictures
Great post! Lord, help me not to have a blind spot with my children. Guide me as a parent to know my children, so I can help them grow in the nuture and admonition of You.
wonderful words! i have learned that my husband can be so calming and wise when i stop and ask his observations of our girls 🙂 i'm also trying to let go of having the 'perfect' children and see my girls has our Lord sees them! Blessings to you 🙂
Wonderful truth, Tracey. Thank you 🙂
Great Post. I often wonder if I have a blind spot with my kids too. I especially like #5, Give up on Perfect. Thanks1
That has been my prayer many times. I don't want to be the parent that hasn't a clue what is going on with my kids. There are too many out there like that, including my kids friends. I have always tried to not only spend time with my kids but their friends too…I would even go with them to the movies and out to eat when they were in their early teens up until they got a little bit older… Love your post. Lots of good wisdom in that and always a great remidner.
Anne @ http://lessonsthrulife.com
Very true… this is something I need to work on too…
Great! More parents need to feel this way. I am a youth pastor's wife and we have known so many people through the years who really don't want to know if they have any blind spots regarding their children.
Great list! I did most of those yet neglected the most needful thing. I neglected to set the example they would need to follow. I became a Christian after my daughters were born and I was a rebellious student, converting slowly and, even then, not until they were long grown and gone. Set the example that you want them to be. I'm told that it works.