Happy Parents' Day!

Yes you read right? Who knew that there was such a thing?

I was just about to write a piece about parenting based on a sermon* and wondered if there was a "Parents Day". And surprise!! surprise!!! - there's one. Funny and interesting if you ask me. Parents' commitment towards their children cannot be overemphasized or over-celebrated. And as you might have guessed, finding this out inspired me more to write up and publish this piece sooner than later.

According to Wikipedia**, this special day is celebrated in various countries on different days. It also adds that June 1 was proclaimed as "Global Day of Parents" by the United Nations as a mark of appreciation for the commitment of parents towards their children. So let's celebrate today...

For parents to succeed, here are a few of the attributes that I feel we each need:

·       Present – you cannot be to busy for your children. Presence is more important than presents. Zig Ziglar said "Children spell “love” T-I-M-E."

·       Amiable – we need to be friendly with our children…while being fair and firm. There’s nothing like co-parenting with your children, they must know that you’re their parent not their pet.

·       Reliable – your children need to believe you and trust that you will fulfill promises made. And if on occasion you cannot, or fail to fulfill a promise, explain why and apologize. Also do what you can, if possible, to make it up.

·       Exemplary – your life must be an example; not a “do what I say not what I do” one.  Children hear what they see (i.e. what you do) more than what you say. And what they see and hear is eventually seen in and heard from them. 

        Kevin Heath put it so well: 

   "Kids are like a mirror, what they see and hear they do. 

Be a good reflection for them."

·       Nurture – there’s a place for nature and a place for nurture. Nurturing is the process of caring for and encouraging the growth or development of someone. Nurturing includes discipline - ask any gardener who has to prune plants to improve their output (i.e. fruitfulness). 

Proverbs 13:24 - A refusal to correct is a refusal to love; 

love your children by disciplining them. (MSG)

Proverbs 23: 13-14 -

¹³ Don’t withhold appropriate discipline from your child. 

Go ahead and punish him when he needs it. Don’t worry—it won’t kill him! 

¹⁴ A good spanking could be the very thing that teaches him a lifelong lesson! (TPT)

·       Teachable – aim to learn daily and also take advantage of teachable moments. I can’t tell you how many things I’ve had the opportunity of learning from – and also teaching our children especially during this lock-down. And there are many things we have learned together - lots of pleasant memories.

I pray that you will be a happy parent - not just today - but every day of your life.

Sources:
* Sermon on Functioning Families (video)
** Parents' Day
*** Kevin Heath