I recently read a really good parenting article in a periodical titled Think. I recommend the magazine; it is written by brethren who have clearly been doing a little of what their title says. This article, entitled “They Said What?”, was written by Cindy Colley and basically laments the foolish things that she has occasionally had the misfortune to hear Christian parents say. Things like…

Well, there is that one thing…

Paraphrased, sister Colley remarks: Their kids are great and doing really well, except for that “one thing.” It’s often that “one thing” that should be priority #1 — like, they’re not faithful Christians! It’s the one thing that really matters!

I wish I didn’t have to work.

Again, paraphrasing sister Colley this too often comes from a woman who lives in a plushly furnished and appointed home, driving an expensive automobile. Sister Colley suggested a mission trip to a third world country to be reminded of necessities and priorities.

We like to save our ‘no’s’ for the big things.

She notes, “Saving our ‘no’s’ as parents will yield a big bunch of saved-up ‘no’s’ when our kids need them most, but saved-up ‘no’s’ like old kitchen spices, have lost their potency. They have to listen when you say, ‘Say on the sidewalk,’ so later they will listen when you say, ‘Stay away from drugs.’”

I wish my thirteen year old would (fill in the blank), but I have asked her and she just says ‘no’.

This one’s easy: you’re the parent, she’s the kid; discipline her until she complies!

We don’t want them to grow up thinking that Christianity is a burden.

Colley reminds us, “…that Jesus called discipleship a yoke and a burden—Matt. 11:29-30)

May I add some others…?

I just don’t want them to hate me.

Every kid says this. Unless you are really doing something evil to them, they will not hate you long. Truth is, you’re probably not doing your job right, if they don’t hate you now and again. Get over it.

Well, everyone else is doing it and I just don’t want them to feel different. Yeah, but we are different! Don’t rob your child of this characteristic of Christianity! "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you." 2 Corinthians 6:17, NAS95.

This is just their generation’s youthful rebellion; they’ll get over it like we did.

Yeah, but do you remember all the things that you did that you regret now? "Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death." Romans 6:21, NAS95.

It’s not my fault, the church hasn’t done its job!

The church is not the parent. The church did not give birth. The church can try to teach at regular times of meeting. Some of the leaders can try to appeal to some of its wayward members, but the responsibility is the parents’ to raise their children.

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