Oh, my heart hurts for my girls right now. For the past couple of months, I have seen their attitudes and disposition toward each other go down the toilet. They treat each other (and my husband and I) with such dishonor and disrespect, more times than not it seems. Now they are finding that they have formed habits and are "accidentally" treating their friends the same way at times.
I know seeds take time to take root and we certainly have had "seasons" of attitude struggles. But, why the sudden change for the worse? Is it lack of time with them? Are they copying things they see in their parents? Is it "just a phase"? (although that doesn't cut it for me). I could punish them and give them consequences for their actions (and in a few, extreme circumstances, we have). But I want their actions to be a result of their hearts full and overflowing with love.
I had a "heart to heart" with the girls tonight. I tried to explain, again, that their words express love for their family, but their actions "speak" the opposite. I don't want to shame them. That won't produce any fruit. They admitted that they treat people at school better than their family. Elizabeth expressed that it was because at home they get "charged around." Pretty cute phraseology. Augh, now what? Jesus, I want their hearts to be so in love with you that they can't help but treat others with that same love and respect. This parenting thing sure is heart-wrenching work sometimes!!
1 comment:
Susan, you are such a woman of wisdom. I just love you so much! :) We are "going through" the same stuff with our kids right now. And it's exhausting! I find myself constantly searching for what to do and it just leaves me more tired (and feeling defeated). I'll be praying for you today friend. Greater is He who is in me (our kids) than he who is in the world.
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