Biblical Resources/Advice

By Summer Lane

Photo: Deposit

Parenting is hard. This may be the understatement of the year. As your kids grow up, you face different challenges with each stage of their development. Sometimes, it can feel like we’re struggling to keep up with how quickly our kids are growing and changing. It’s incredible how fast our little ones rise and tackle the world head-on. Do we have a chance of keeping pace with these kids who are testing the boundaries and often causing us to pull our hair out?

Of course we do! Why? Because we have the Bible as our guide when it comes to parenting. Praise the Lord for that!

In every difficult season of parenting that we tackle – whether it’s the terrible twos or the teenage years – God’s wisdom is sufficient. Let’s dig in!

Consistency is key

Whatever the rules are in your home – stay consistent! I’ve learned this with my parenting journey. Fluctuating or changing the standards for any expectations tends to cause confusion or frustration for kids, especially if they’re strong-willed. Set those healthy boundaries and stick with it.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Children are a blessing, even when we’re having a hard day

Sometimes we get caught up in the dog days of parenting but remember this: children are a gift. Whether you have one child or six (bless your heart!), how sweet it is to shepherd the littlest hearts!

Psalm 127:3-5 says that children are a “heritage from the Lord,” and that is true. I remind myself of that on the hardest days. My child is a blessing, and I am extremely grateful.

Yes, children need to obey their parents

Loving and godly parents should indeed work to instill discipline and obedience within their children. The Bible says so! Ephesians 6:1-4 reiterates one of the Ten Commandments (honor thy father and mother): Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Loving boundaries are healthy and they protect our children from harm. It teaches them self-control and it helps to prepare them for the outside world – which is dangerous and more anti-Biblical than ever before!

We should ensure that our children are provided for

1 Timothy 5:8 says that it is essential to provide for our children (or family’s) welfare (to paraphrase). It is wise and loving to ensure that we work to provide safety and security for our kids after we are gone – and that will look different for everyone! It is a biblical mandate, and it’s important to acknowledge it.

Psalm 103:13 clearly states, “As a father shows compassion for his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.”

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The opinions in this article are specific to its author, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the entire Counter Culture Mom team. This specific article was written by Summer Lane, and may not be reproduced, except to quote for reviews or interviews, without the express permission of the author. 

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Summer Lane is the #1 bestselling author of 30 books, including the hit Collapse Series. She is an experienced journalist and columnist who reports on news within the U.S. and abroad. She is the Associate Editor for Right Side Broadcasting Network. Additionally, she owns Write Revolution News, where she provides a rapid-fire feed of the nation’s most important America First news and events.

Summer is also a mom and wife who enjoys rural country living, herding cats and ducks, and reading fiction. She is passionate about writing on women’s issues, parenting, and politics from a theologically-grounded perspective that points readers to the good news of the gospel.

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