One of my readers requested some positive parenting stories, since I've only shared some pretty depressing ones at this point. You're totally right. The good parents are so worth mentioning and they always get overshadowed by stories of neglect and bad choices. Hhhhmmm....let's see..... I know several excellent parents, but one couple in particular stands out in my mind.

We'll call them Jack and Jill. Jack and Jill are raising their child, um....Pete... in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Pete is now almost 3 years old and they have taught him how to say "yes sir" and " yes ma'am" when daddy or mommy (or another adult)asks him to do something. These parents really seem to have a grip on BALANCE. Pete is constantly loved on and hugged and encouraged. There is just so much genuine love in that family and you can see it when they interact with one another. On the flipside, Jack and Jill are not afraid of being stern with Pete when the situation warrants. When he has a temper with mommy and starts getting an attitude, Jack steps in and lets the little boy know that it is NOT okay to speak to mommy that way and teaches Pete to apologize. Jack and Jill show a level of respect for one another that most young couples are lacking and I think it is so great that Pete will grow up seeing the way a husband and wife should truly treat eachother. I also notice that if Pete is getting selfish with a toy or running around where he's not supposed to (You know, normal toddler antics), Jack or Jill quietly pulls him aside, gets down to eye-level with him and explains why he shouldn't do those things and warns him that he needs to stop. They say it with such love, but you can tell that Pete respects them and knows they mean business.

Jill spends so much time with Pete, teaching him letters and numbers, reading to him, and just playing games with him. This kid seems so much smarter than a lot of children his age, and I'm positive it's because of all the effort his parents put into their childrearing. Every family has their share of problems, and I bet they're not perfect, but the fact remains that a tree shall be known by its fruit.

Something that another young dad I know said just came to my mind. He said that he almost never raises his voice at his children. Even when they're being incredibly rambunctious and wild, he speaks to them sternly, but calmly.....again, getting down to eye-level and speaking to them like they are people. It's not that his children are never punished or chastened - they are just never screamed at in an emotional outburst. When most parents' anger and irritation would probably come through in their voices, he keeps his cool while laying down the law and doesn't look perturbed at all. It's the way I imagine God must be with us.

When you think about it, we should parent exactly the way the Father in Heaven parents us. We should be consistent and hold fast to the rules that we have set before our children, but show a tremendous amount of love and forgiveness. Our arms should be a safehaven and a sanctuary for our children to cry, regroup, rejoice, or just rest and enjoy our presence. We should also set boundaries that may not seem fair to our children, but enforce them simply because we love our children and know what is best for them. We should take delight in making our children happy and fulfilling their desires every chance we get, but not at the expense of the health of their spirit and character. It's a lot to live up to and it's sobering to think that my husband and I are going to be entrusted with such a responsibility....but it's so exciting too! It's exciting to know that we have the power to give someone a good childhood, filled with love and joy. I am grateful for that opportunity. In a world where so many people DON'T get a good start and DON'T have loving parents, we can strive to make sure our child is NOT one of those people.

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