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Page Updated 5/14/99


Parents Certainly Are Misunderstood!
By Steven C. Staats
You thought you were happily smiling at your child from a hard stadium
seat or a hot packed auditorium, But your child looked at your face and
saw approval of him and joy in what he was doing.
You thought that you were just patting him on the back or on the head, =
or just ruffling his hair, But your child cherished the warm loving touch
and his heart was brightened.
You thought you were reading a bedtime story with all the funny and =
scary voices, But your child enjoyed the fact you read every word even though
he had heard them a hundred times before.
You thought you were letting your child help paint the house even though
the paint got kind of runny and drippy in places, But your child knew
that you were working together as a family and felt a sense of
accomplishment as a family.
You thought you were singing silly songs or counting the cows on a long
boring trip, But your child learned that it was fun being together no
matter where you were.
You thought you were spending a few minutes of your time by throwing a
ball in the back yard or baking some cookies, But your child, who
realized that your time is precious, knew you were investing it in him.
You thought that you asked your child's opinion about something that
wasn't too important, But your child thought you asked because his
opinions and thoughts were important.
You thought you were being a good host by inviting your child's friends
in for a cool snack on a warm summer day, But your child knew that his
friends were important to you and always welcome in your home.
You thought the tears in you eyes went unnoticed when your child
accomplished an important goal in his life, But your child knew that he
was deeply imbedded in your heart and you sensed his accomplishment.
You thought that the refrigerator was as good of a place as any for
hanging all the art work and "well done" papers that came home from
school, But your child felt important when he came home from school each
day with something to show you and tack up in his personal hall of fame.
You thought you gave your child some simple chore or job to do and told
him, "Well done,," with a smile when he did it, But your child learned
responsibility and began to realize he could tackle even tougher things.
You thought you were helping a troubled restless child get some sleep by
fixing a cup of hot cocoa, But your child felt that you were opening =
your heart around a kitchen table and making all the problems a lot smaller.
You thought the vacation wasn't much of a success because the fish =
didn't bite and the sun didn't shine, But your child still remembers everything
that happened and he still laughs at all of the funny parts.
You thought you were just pointing out the words in the church hymn book
with your child's finger as he tried to sing along, But your child
learned that singing praises to God in worship was important.
You thought you were just giving him a quick hug at a special moment or
"just because", But your child carried it with him for a long time,
because what you really said was, "I'm proud of you!", or "I love you!"
You thought you were just giving him a little kiss on the cheek to tell
him good-bye as he left for school, But your child felt warm and loved
because he knew there would be another one waiting for him when he got
home.
Come to think of it, there are a lot of times when parents really are
misunderstood!

ABC’s of Parenthood
A - always trust your children to God’s care
B - bring them to Bible school and worship service
C - Challenge them to high goals in life
D - delight in their achievements in school or on the job
E - exalt the Lord in their presence at every opportunity
F - frown on evil
G - give them love
H - hear their problems
I - ignore not their childish fears
J - joyfully accept their apologies
K - keep their confidence
L - live a good example before them at all times
M - make them your best friends
N - never ignore their endless questions
O - open your home to their friends
P - pray for them by name daily
Q - quicken your interest in their spirituality
R - remember their needs
S - show them the way of salvation
T - teach them to work and be responsible men and women
U - Understand they are still young
V - Verify your statements
W - Wean them from bad company
X - expect them to obey
Y - Yearn for God’s best for them
Z - zealously guide them in Biblical truths

What Shall I Give You, My Son?
What shall you give to one small boy?
A glamorous game, a tinseled toy,
a Barlow knife, a puzzle pack,
a train that runs on a curving track?
A picture book, a real live pet
. . . no, there’s plenty of time for such things yet.
Give him a day for his very own --
just one small boy and his dad alone.
A walk in the woods, a romp in the park,
a fishing trip from dawn to dark;
give the gift that only you can --
the companionship of his Old Man!
Games are outgrown and toys decay --
but he’ll never forget it if you “give him a day.”

Bits of Wisdom for Family Happiness
 -- A successful dad must demonstrate to his children that he has a purpose.
-- Having a God-honoring family is never an accident; it is a hard fought victory founded upon habits that are fueled by the father’s purpose.
-- A successful father should constantly affirm the value and worth of each family member.
Children become what they see reflected in the faces of their parents.
If we don’t believe in them, love them, and support them, who will?
If we don’t tell them every day how special they are, how will they know?
If they don’t feel valuable, they have little chance of becoming lovable.
The great Puritan preacher, Jonathan Edwards, once said, “The ultimate goal is to treat something according to its true value.”
Conversely, the ultimate evil is not to treat a wife, child, or anyone according to his/her true value.
--Dad, make a conservative effort to start each child’s day positively.  Verbal lovegrams work wonders.
--Because our environment is largely a reflection of our attitude, dads need to set the pace and tone for each day.  Be positive.  Talk about what a good day it is going to be.  After all, if we really believe it is a day the Lord has made, then it seems logical to rejoice and be glad in it.  Greet your little ones with a hug and a kiss.  Let some positive comments fine-tune their attitudes for a new day.
--As a parent, spend whatever time is necessary to assure each family member of his/her importance and worth.  Material provisions are not a substitute for time and personal attention.
Parents, your attitude and purpose determines everything.
--Excerpts from an article by Joe Aldrich entitled”Four Clues for Dads’ in Kindred Spirit, Summer 1982

Links
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
To present to athletes and coaches, and all whom they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church.
Promise Keepers
The official WebPage for the national organization.
A Christian Spotlight on the Movies
A Christian perspective on movies
Dove Family Approved Movie and Video List


Book List
Standing Tall - How a Man Can Protect His Family - by Steve Farrar (Multnomah Books)
Guard Your Heart - by Dr. Gary Rosberg (Multnomah Books)
Love Life for Every Married Couple - by Ed Wheat M.D. & Gloria Okes Perkins (Zondervan)
The New Dare to Discipline - by Dr. James Dobson (Tyndale House Publishers)
The Seven Seasons of a Man's Life - by Patrick M. Morley (Thomas Nelson Publishers)
The On-Purpose Person - by Kevin W. McCarthy (Pinon Press)
Love Busters - Overcoming the Habits that Destroy Romantic Love - by Willard F. Harley, Jr. (Fleming H. Revell)
Disciplines of a Godly Man - by R. Kent Hughes (Crossway Books)
Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days - by Kay Arthur (Harvest House Publishers)
Half Time - Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance - by Bob Buford (Zondervan Publishing House)
The Man in the Mirror - Solving the 24 Problems Men Face - by Patrick M. Morley (Zondervan)
The 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers - by Ken R. Canfield (Tyndale House Publishers)

Comments and Suggestions
Please send me mail telling me what you think about this page and how I might improve it.
 

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