The month of June is a special for Rita and me. This time last year we officially became grandparents to our first grandchild, our granddaughter Lillian. Yes, we are loud and proud when it comes to sharing pictures and telling of her every move. Though we are reveling in our new role as grandparents, nothing will erase from our minds the 28 years of prayers, fears, tears, and commitment that went into parenting our four girls.
Lillian and Me
Over the years we have discovered 3 tips to wise parenting, we admit that we know more about parenting girls than boys but these 3 elements are foundational to parenting either gender.
1. Lead Spiritually – Dads, this is a big one for you as it is your responsibility to lead your family spiritually. This means to allow Scripture to always play a predominate role in your family time, not just at church on Sunday. For us, we began to make it a part of our dinner routine to read a chapter from the Bible then discussing how it applied to each of our lives. This 5-10 minute routine not only cultivated God’s Word into our life and home but it also modeled how to read, meditate and reflect on Scripture. Also, make time for your personal quiet time, children observe more than you think, if they see your time in the Word modeled each morning, they will want to do the same.
2. Be Available – If you’re not available, someone or something else will be. Rita and I have always made it a priority to be available in all aspects of life. This evolved as our girls grew and changed. Here are few ways we’ve remained available over the years: When they were young, we hosted spend the night parties, play groups, co-coached softball teams, volunteered as field trip chaperones, and homeroom mom. When they grew older, we hosted post prom parties, provided free meals to feed the masses, joined them in their hobbies and pursuits, like running 10Ks, scuba diving certifications and taking swing dance lessons.
3. Show-up Emotionally – Children need parents not a best friend however, they need you to fill their emotional tank. Girls need your hugs, your listening ears and secure affirming word. Boys need your approval and for you to rally behind their passions. Over the years, Rita and I have strived to do this in many ways – when our girls were young, I started taking each girl out once a month on a special daddy daughter date. Now, since I have 2 (almost 3) son-in-laws I have time with just my “sons” in a once a month conference call just to talk about “life”. Rita has always remained a fantastic question asker and celebrator of the uniqueness in each of our girls. One of the ways she does this is by planning girl outings with no ‘agenda’… just for fun – like taking cooking classes, girl movie nights at home, baking cookies together, talking late into the night about “life.” All were consistent deposits into their emotional tank!
Rita and I were not/are not perfect parents however, we do believe beginning each day on your knees praying for your children is the best gift you can give them.
Want to read more about wise parenting? Check out these Wisdom Hunters Devotionals: A Delighted Parent, Character is Productive
