Parenting Practice

Someday, Lord willing, I believe I'll be a mother... and I have no doubt that I'll find my kids preciously cute and endearing, as all mothers do!  #auntstoo ;)

As their parent, I'll want them to be happy and have good things, but I'll also want them to grow up to be responsible, well-mannered, healthy adults with good character... so that will require loving discipline and making some tough choices to help them learn wisdom and common sense, the way God does with us. 

So I've decided to "practice" in this season by treating my appetite like the selfish, bratty toddler it has become! lol  Really, when it comes to food and delayed gratification, I'm no better than most three-year-olds.  It is ridiculous.  I'm accustomed to getting exactly what I want when I want it, and I rarely tell myself no when I'm craving something!  Then when I push myself and gear up and start trying to eat healthy, my flesh/appetite goes into full-on tantrum mode until I finally give in, feeling more defeated each time...  

From the parenting perspective, I can see that a lot more clearly -- obviously, a child's long-term health and joy are far more important than short-term happiness, but the child doesn't know that or care -- what's right in front of them is what matters most, 24/7.  So since the parent has the long-term perspective, they're responsible to say no as many times as it takes, no matter how cute and clever the child is or how big a fit they throw when they want something they shouldn't have.  The child will absolutely fight them for it - good parenting is NOT easy, but it's essential to raising healthy adults.  Thinking of it that way helps me see the importance of self-discipline, wanting the best for myself enough to be the tough love parent to these screaming, selfish, immature places inside me!

"There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end, it leads to death."  We all make some colossally stupid decisions when our chief goal is our own happiness.  I can keep giving in to my controlling-child-appetite and let it slowly take me down, or I can take control of it and finally "grow up" in that area!

So that's today's Motivational Monday post. lol  

Like real parenting, writing about my "philosophy" is the easy part... living it out day to day will be the challenge.  I'm dreading the internal "fits" that are in my future, but I'm determined to choose wisdom and tough love for myself... because I'm worth it!  #loreal ;)