What are some goals that you have for your children?\u00a0 Have you stopped and asked yourself that question lately?\u00a0 As a parent, why do you do the things that you do?\u00a0 Many times the answer to that question is, “to get what I want”.\u00a0 Well, what do you want for your child, and how are you going to accomplish this?<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 What are some ways that you teach your child to look out for the interests of others?
\n2.\u00a0 What are some ways that you teach your child to live under authority?
\n3.\u00a0 Is your discipline of your children characterized as punitive or corrective?
\n4.\u00a0 In addressing unacceptable behavior, how do you lead your child to the cross of Christ?<\/p>\n
It is a natural response, as a parent, to be an advocate and a fan of your child.\u00a0 We hurt when our child hurts, and we want to take up for them if and when they are struggling.\u00a0 We naturally want to come to their rescue, and we want them to succeed.\u00a0 All of this is expected, but does this approach always help our child be successful in their future?\u00a0 These are tough questions, and the lines in the sand can become very fuzzy and challenging.<\/p>\n
God’s Word is a great help for parents and teachers.\u00a0 When we seek to help young people to change wrong behavior by addressing the condition of their heart, that is when we see lasting change and future success.\u00a0 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he shall not depart from it.”\u00a0 There is so much truth in that verse, and there is a lot of future hope that is captured in those words.<\/p>\n
“Mr. Grass, we are at our wit’s end.\u00a0 We’ve taken everything away from our child; he has no privileges, and we are still not seeing any changes.”\u00a0 This is a common statement that I hear from exasperated parents from time to time.\u00a0 I wanted to share a comment from Tedd Tripp’s book, Shepherding a Child’s Heart<\/span>:\u00a0 “Grounding is not designed to do something for the child; it is designed to do something against him.\u00a0 Grounding is not corrective.\u00a0 It is simply punitive.\u00a0 I have often wondered why grounding is so universally popular.\u00a0 I believe it is because it is easy.\u00a0 It doesn’t require on-going interaction.\u00a0 It does not require on-going discussion.\u00a0 It does not assess what is going on inside the child.\u00a0 It does not require patient instruction and entreaty.”\u00a0 As parents, especially in this day and age, we feel resigned to take the path of least resistance and whatever is quickest.\u00a0 Many times, whatever is easiest is not what is best.\u00a0 Simply addressing behavior is NOT the goal!\u00a0 Producing change from the inside out and seeking to take our children and students to the cross of Christ is the ultimate goal of discipline and effective parenting.<\/p>\n Part of our mission at Faith Christian School is to partner with parents in helping them raise their children to live effectively in God’s world.\u00a0 We want to partner and not replace parents.\u00a0 In some instances, students can spend more of their day at school and school activities than at their homes.\u00a0 In order to help partner effectively, I ask our teachers to be good listeners and understand our role in this process.\u00a0 These situations can sometimes get tricky when parents don’t always get the entire story or perspective from their child.\u00a0 As we sit down with parents to discuss their child’s progress\/situation we strive to\u00a0be committed to giving students and parents honest feedback about student attitudes and progress, believing that to be a crucial part of our partnership with families.\u00a0 When a parent is hearing only one side, their perception of the situation can become biased, and then it becomes challenging in being an effective partner.\u00a0 Partnering\u00a0can also become challenging when educators don’t understand the big picture and maybe address these situations with pre-conceived notions.\u00a0 When a teacher\/educator is only viewing the situation from their perspective and is not willing to listen effectively, communication breakdowns will undoubtedly occur.<\/p>\n The first question of the Shorter Catechism states:\u00a0 “What is the chief end of man?\u00a0 Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”\u00a0 As a parent and an educator, is there any other goal that is worthy?\u00a0\u00a0 A final quote from Tedd Tripp, “No wonder we lose our kids.\u00a0 We lose them because we fail to think clearly about man’s chief end.\u00a0 The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Therefore, your objective in every context must be to set a biblical worldview\u00a0before God.\u00a0 Your child must grow to see that real living is experienced when he stands before God and says, “Whom have I in heaven but you, and being with you I desire nothing on earth.”\u00a0 (Psalm 73:25)\u00a0 If this is what you want for your children, then you must ensure that the content of everyday life fits this objective.”<\/p>\n Parenting and partnering can be tough jobs.\u00a0 Parenting is also a blessed trust from the Lord and one in which we need God’s wisdom and direction.\u00a0 Effective partnering also takes both sides working together, communicating patiently and honestly, along with supporting one another.\u00a0 Applying God’s principles and plans to these various situations and opportunities will allow for continued and consistent growth and change in the lives of our young people as well as in the lives of parents and educators.\u00a0 Thanks be to God for His grace and His wisdom that He freely gives when we ask for it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Partners<\/h2>\n
A Blessed Trust<\/h2>\n