A Parent's Priority?
Series:
Parenthood Series
Date:
August 24, 2008So, what do you think are the most important things a parent must teach their child?
Could you name the top two or three things YOUR parents made a priority in their lives, in your home, in what they expected from you?
Priorities are “caught” more than “taught” - so this Sunday we’ll re-examine how parents set the priorities of the home - not just what they “say” are priorities.
What do you think needs to be in the top priority category?
What is important in our home
The things that are important to us our kids should know are Respect, Religous beliefs, Being kind to others, Finance, Being a good sport, How to give back to others. There are some others but you get the point. When it came to my parents they taught me how to keep my hands to myself. They aslo said, Frank, Don’t you worry about anyone else but yourself”. Then 25 years later my mom complains,”Frank, You don’t worry abount anyone else but yourself!”. Go figure…
As for the top priority category for us would be RESPECT, Bottom line.
My 4 1/2 year old son Reilly says, “If your having a bad morning, just turn it around. Because that’s the rules”.
~Frank
Most important...
Unconditional love…knowing without any doubt that whatever happened, whatever mistakes we made, we would always be loved. My parents were able to provide all of us with that feeling of comfort and security. Their love was not based on what we did or accomplished. They definitely had expectations of us…we knew to respect them, our siblings and others. The priority was definitely family…we were very close and still are, we all work at the same business and enjoy it….My Mom did not put up with fighting or arguing…but she didn’t intervene a lot either…she taught us to work out our differences…or stay in our room until we could be nice to each other!!
The one thing I would have loved to experience is more of a Church presence in our lives…we didn’t go very often…a few holidays, special occasions…my parents grew up in Church…but for some reason didn’t feel compelled to do the same for us. I want my kids to know about God, to feel what it is like to be a part of something much bigger than they could ever dream of.
Security
I sure hope my kids feel a sense of “security” in our home… not just safety from monsters and bad people, but a home where Heidi and I provide stability, consistency, with assurances of our love for each other and for each child. Security in growing up as a child and being secure in who they are as individuals - not dependent on what the cool kids at school say. Secure in our faith commitment and God’s grace being given to them since day #1. Security - in that no matter what “everyone else” is doing, saying, or believe.. .as for me and my house we will be faithful serving God.