5 Conversations You Have to Have with your Child

If there's one thing I've learned since October 2008, it's that parenting is H*A*R*D!

I've surrounded myself with other moms so that I can feel supported and encouraged.  One of those venues that I've really appreciated the last two years is being involved with Mothers of Preschoolers( MOPS).  I've not made the deepest of friendships there, but I've really enjoyed the speakers.  I'm amazed at the wealth of good, christian speakers that live in the Southern California region.

Yesterday, our speaker was Pastor Jack Hawkins from Canyon Springs church.  His talk was entitled
"5 Conversations you have to have with your Child".  I found it very encouraging and it was just a good reminder to me of what is important.

1.  I accept you for who you are
"You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  Psalm 139:13-16

He reminded us to love the distinctness of our children.  How many of us have kids that make us crazy with such different personalities than we have?  But that little "tick" in them that drives us nuts, was put there especially from the Lord, for them and for our growth!

2.  It's not all about you
"The greatest among you will be your servant.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."  Matthew 23: 11, 12

For some reason we, as Americans, especially, put such a great amount of time and effort into making our kids "successful".  But how many successful Americans do you know that are happy?  Instead we should be impressing upon our kids to be servants.  Teach them to get beyond themselves.  When is the last time you drove by a homeless person and offered to buy them lunch?

3.  Make wise decisions with your sexuality

Talk with them often about this; what if we as parents had the "big" clean up your bedroom talk once and then never mentioned it again?  Or one time talked to them about brushing their teeth?

4.  You don't have to be perfect
"If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?  But with you there is forgiveness."
Psalm 130:3, 4

Perfectionism is becoming epidemic.  As parents, we worry so much about what others think of our kids- we need to GIVE THAT UP!  And then get new friends!  We need to teach our kids that their mistakes are usually not that big of a deal.

5.  Put God at the center of your life
"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates."  Deuteronomy 6:6-9

In the small moments of life, we can share stories about God.  When we're putting them to bed, when better to sit and just be with them, and as they get older, kids are often trying to stall going to bed, so this is a great opportunity to have quiet teaching moments with them.