| We seem to have more faith in a 30-year mortgage | | | | been a few jobs I thought I wanted, however what I |
| than in our ability to be good parents! When we truly | | | | felt in my heart wasn't what the job had to offer. |
| trust God, we don't hesitate to accept a job offer that | | | | Surely God had another position with the salary, time, |
| is in our heart even if the money may be less than | | | | and flexibility I desired. Communicating with Teens |
| another position we are interested in. God will set up a | | | | As our children become teenagers, it is even more |
| position just to lead us into one where the finances are | | | | imperative to be there for them. Those hormones |
| there just as we desired. | | | | arrive, peer pressure comes upon them, and they just |
| So many parents are so busy working, working, and | | | | don't know what to do. I tell my girls, "As parents we |
| more working that there is no quality time to share | | | | are here for you." I talk with them about all the |
| with their children. Our parents made many mistakes. | | | | challenges they will face in life. I explain how important |
| They did the best they could with what they knew, but | | | | it is for them to walk as a young lady. I let them come |
| there is no better way than doing it God's way. At one | | | | to me with questions, and I give them the best |
| time I conversed with my husband about the need for | | | | answers I can. We spend time chatting about the |
| both of us to work outside the home. Because men | | | | day's activities. They share with me sad things that |
| are goal oriented, they don't see results as we see | | | | some children are experiencing day to day. Our |
| them. What they see is RIGHT NOW! They see a | | | | children shouldn't rely on advice from their peers. Their |
| goal. All this is good, but it shouldn't be at the expense | | | | peers are experiencing the same pressures and |
| of our time with our children. Current statistics show | | | | frustrations; parents can provide better answers to |
| that the average man spends about 45 seconds a | | | | their questions. I want to encourage you to keep the |
| day with his children under the age of three. How sad | | | | door of communication open, and try not to shut down |
| is that? | | | | situations that would cause your teen to drawback |
| It seems so easy to further our education or seek a | | | | from you. |
| great promotion, but how much time do we spend in | | | | I surely know these are truly times of challenges and |
| the Bible to enhance our spiritual lives? There is nothing | | | | dilemmas', therefore we have to stay focused and be |
| wrong with education or a good job; however, we | | | | determined we will not cave in and quit on our |
| can't gain such things at the cost of our family time. | | | | parenting so we will be successful in our attempt in |
| We must trust God! I know this for a fact. There have | | | | being a good parent. |