Home Truth

3 minute read

 Parenting, to be effective, is an active experience.

 If we are not actively engaged we are possibly being dragged along by the tyranny of the urgent, where what’s important is being sacrificed, just to get through the day.

 But there is a better way!

 Being in control of myself is a great foundation for the parenting journey. Parents who model self- control will produce children who will also be good at self - control.

 Self -control has many advantages. It looks like this:

 If I am the owner of my own life, (and this can be the first obstacle to overcome, if I am used to being controlled by others), then I have rightful control over what I own which in this context is my own life and the treasures within it.

 I also, because I am the owner, who has control of my own life, am responsible for my own life and I will bear the consequences or reap the benefits of the condition of my life.

 This control of self, rather than control of others in order to make life work, brings peace and order to myself which in itself is a great reward. Then follows the emotional space which is needed, to think ahead and plan to succeed, in the long term and short term parenting role.

 Modelling this peace and order within myself is a gift of great value to my children.

 Stability and strength are found in families who take responsibility for themselves individually and who also at the same time, take seriously the responsibility to love one another. This is a definition of self-control.

 The long lasting results of this mindset bring a cohesiveness and traction to the family system when it is built into the fabric of daily life.

 This valuable quality of self- control will reliably lead us in the direction of love and giving it intentional focus in raising our children…

… will be a commitment you will never regret.