Gò0dNews for Parents
Encouragement For Parents
R
by Jennifer Hastings
ead this little poem, keeping your kiddos in mind.
giving our kids gifts than what we are teaching them.
As you read, be open to what stirs in your heart. Is
Are we caught in some invisible parent trap, one that
there a verse jumping off the page? Does one line
brainwashes intelligent adults into grading themselves by
make you proud as a peacock, whereas another makes you
delivering the best and most popular possessions to our
want to bury your head and beg for a parenting redo? Pray
children? I admit I feel this pressure the world places on
for God to show you what character trait your child needs
parents. Everything in our lives speaks to this narrative.
help developing.
From social media to every advertisement we see, it is there: the subtle message that you need this or that to be happy. Ever since I read this poem in November, though, I keep coming back to it, and it seems to ground me in what really matters. This poem convicted me and made me stop to ask, what if I were intentional about giving another kind of gift to my kids? What if I worked hard all year not to save money for Christmas presents, but to give gifts of encouragement, praise, and security? You know, the parenting stuff that really makes a difference. What about you? What do your kids need? As you read the poem, what came to your mind? Whatever came to your mind can be your parenting focus for the year. Just pick one thing to work on giving your child. You may
“Children learn what they live.” –Dorothy Law Nolte
have a grown-up child needing to hear you are proud of
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
them. Maybe your adult baby needs encouragement about
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
how they are raising their own babies. I love how God
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
continues to woo us and work on our character. It makes
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
perfect sense that we should woo our own children and see
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
them for the adults they have the potential to become, not
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
as they are now.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
As a child of God, God continually works to give you
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
lasting gifts of character. God is dedicated to helping you
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
become all He has created you to be. He has gifted you with
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
unique talents and gifts. God is presently wooing you and
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns
drawing you to a character that will last.
We will come back to the poem; let it settle over your soul. Sometimes I think we concern ourselves more with
18 // April 2020
About The Author
to find love in the world. Jennifer Hastings and her husband, Stewart live in Rocky Face with their three children. She works for Dalton Public Schools as a curriculum specialist. You can check out their blog at thatsthewayweseeit.com.
