Kids Are Fun!

by Kelly Knowlden

My mother often would say to us when we were in high school, “You spend so much energy on getting kids to grow up and then by the time they are able to have an intelligent conversation, they leave home.”

Each child is made in God’s image and that makes them unique and special. Our task as parents is to try to understand them and help them reach their potential as image bearers with their set of abilities and liabilities. That takes a lot of work.

First, when they are little, the task involves getting children to understand that they live under the rule of some- one else. That doesn’t mean that we teach them to respond to our barking orders. It does mean that they must learn the humility of heart associated with hearing and following instructions whether or not they make sense.

During the elementary school years, the world begins to expand and your children begin to see the world in differences. This can be unsettling to both parents and children when kids play it to their advantage, “Freddie’s parents don’t make him do....” Parents particularly want to rein- force that they are on their children’s side, even in situations that don’t seem fair.

By the time your children are in junior high, it helps if you have a healthy sense of humor because these are years when they are old enough to know better, but they push every limit with a hundred questions that often appear disrespectful. Again, teaching them the ability to ask questions but accepting your answers even when the answer runs counter to what they think makes sense, is important.

The high school years are the transition years of helping them to make responsible choices by talking to them - a lot! And of course, this usually happens when they come out to the living room at 11:30pm with the long face and the question, “Can I talk to you for just a minute?” That “minute” will be some of the most valuable time you will ever spend with them. Don’t miss it.

Of course, if you’ve been successful at imparting the truth that you are on their side and you’ve won their hearts, you will get calls during college as well which gives you a parting shot at perspectives that are true and right.

Does all this seem daunting? For me too! Thankfully, the Manufacturer of the child is also the Author of the “owner’s manual.” His wisdom gives help and hope for every step of this journey. If I could summarize one thing, it would be: “Enjoy them. Laugh often. Don’t get stuck in the immediate problem as though it is the whole world. Seek God together.”