One of the things I think about most with regard to parenting is how to succeed in the long run. I don’t want short-term victories and long-term failure. I don’t want kids who know every AWANA verse now but who don’t love Jesus when they ‘re 22. I wonder (but can never know) if some of the children who have gone astray were raised by parents who didn’t know that short-term success does not equal long-term success.
I think most about what I should be doing now, and I think just as much about what I shouldn’t be doing now. I’m not ready to share any “answers,” but a friend pointed me to an article by a guy who does have some (of his own) answers.
It’s a long article, and for me, it started out slow. I’m glad I read to the end though. If you ‘re not at any stage of life where any of this strikes you, you might do well to print it off and put it in the “2015” folder (or whenever the right time might be). I’ve copied the outline below. Ignore the last word in the title; while some of these may apply more to some than to others, I suspect that they apply to many Christian parents.
Exposing Major Blind Spots of Homeschoolers by Reb Bradley
1. Having Self-Centered Dreams
2. Raising Family as an Idol
3. Emphasizing Outward Form
4. Tending to Judge
5. Depending on Formulas
6. Over-Dependence on Authority and Control
7. Over-Reliance Upon Sheltering
8. Not Passing On a Pure Faith
9. Not Cultivating a Loving Relationship With Our Children
About 10 years ago our church had Reb Bradley come and speak, it was interesting to see where he has changed/grown in his thinking…and encouraging for me as I seek to raise kids who live for God (and not me). Thanks for sharing it here too!!