Don’t Put Your Foot Down. Take Their Hand.

Here’s my least favorite parenting method…

Let things get out of control for a long time. Snap. Then go Nazi on your kids.

Ugh.

This never works.

Why do parents give their children ridiculously harmful amounts of freedom and think they can successfully take it all back when they finally decide to put their foot down?

It’s like a formula for getting your family invited to be on the Jerry Springer show…

The goal isn’t to wait until the breaking point and then put your foot down.

The goal is to take their hand and guide them.

“Don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.” (Ephesians 1.4 MSG)

Taking them by the hand means constant, active involvement in shaping their lives.

Not sporadic.

Not apathetic.

Not ignorant.

Not waiting until things get so bad that you have to put your foot down.

Take their hand!

Be constantly, actively involved in the shaping of their lives.

Scripture paints a picture of what “taking them by the hand” parenting looks like:

“Commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” (Deuteronomy 11.18, 19 NLT)

That’s some constant, active involvement – shaping and training them at home, on the road, while tucking them into bed and getting them up in the morning.

Don’t wait for a crisis.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Don’t put your foot down.

Be their parent.

Take their hand.