The Funny Side of Parenting

Grandpa and Billy entered the vacation cabin, keeping the lights off until they got inside to avoid attracting any pesky insects. Still a few fireflies followed them in.

Noticing the fireflies before Grandpa did, Billy quietly whispered, "It's no use Grandpa. The mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights!"

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Little Johnny was overheard talking to himself as he headed through the backyard, wearing his baseball cap and toting a ball and bat.

"I'm the greatest hitter in the world," he announced. Then he tossed the ball in the air, swung at it, and missed.

"Strike One!" he yelled. Undaunted, he picked up the ball and said again, "I'm the greatest hitter in the world!"

He tossed the ball into the air. When it came down he swung again and missed. "Strike Two!" he cried.

The boy then paused a moment to examine his bat and ball carefully. He spit on his hands and rubbed them together. He straightened his cap and said once more, "I'm the greatest hitter in the world!"

Again he tossed the ball up in the air and swung at it. He missed.

"Strike Three!"

"Wow!" he exclaimed. "I'm the greatest pitcher in the world too!"

 

Parenting Insight You Can Use Now

Firmness with kids is an important part of parenting. Firmness means clarifying expectations and requiring children to abide by family values. Firmness involves enforcing rules and making sure that kids follow through.

Firmness teaches character. Character is often learned under pressure. Life provides pressure but sometimes parents must help kids feel the pressure a little more. We aren’t suggesting that parents be mean to their kids, but it’s often helpful to make a concerted effort in certain areas for kids so that they can strengthen areas of weakness.

The home is a place for children to learn and grow. If kids don’t develop self-control, cooperation, honor, and integrity at home, they’ll have a much more difficult time out in the world. In fact, your controlled firmness at home can teach children lessons more easily than the harshness of life that will come later.

Romans 5:3-4 reads, “We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” The important principle in this passage is one that applies to all people, even children. Growth often takes place under pressure.

This parenting tip comes from the new eBook, Parenting Shifts: 50 Heart-Based Strategies to Keep You Growing in Your Parenting by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN. You can download this book directly to your computer or eReader.

 

The Funny Side of Parenting

Grandpa and Billy entered the vacation cabin, keeping the lights off until they got inside to avoid attracting any pesky insects. Still a few fireflies followed them in.

Noticing the fireflies before Grandpa did, Billy quietly whispered, "It's no use Grandpa. The mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights!"

            ______________________________________________________________________

Little Johnny was overheard talking to himself as he headed through the backyard, wearing his baseball cap and toting a ball and bat.

"I'm the greatest hitter in the world," he announced. Then he tossed the ball in the air, swung at it, and missed.

"Strike One!" he yelled. Undaunted, he picked up the ball and said again, "I'm the greatest hitter in the world!"

He tossed the ball into the air. When it came down he swung again and missed. "Strike Two!" he cried.

The boy then paused a moment to examine his bat and ball carefully. He spit on his hands and rubbed them together. He straightened his cap and said once more, "I'm the greatest hitter in the world!"

Again he tossed the ball up in the air and swung at it. He missed.

"Strike Three!"

"Wow!" he exclaimed. "I'm the greatest pitcher in the world too!"

 

Parenting Insight You Can Use Now

Firmness with kids is an important part of parenting. Firmness means clarifying expectations and requiring children to abide by family values. Firmness involves enforcing rules and making sure that kids follow through.

Firmness teaches character. Character is often learned under pressure. Life provides pressure but sometimes parents must help kids feel the pressure a little more. We aren’t suggesting that parents be mean to their kids, but it’s often helpful to make a concerted effort in certain areas for kids so that they can strengthen areas of weakness.

The home is a place for children to learn and grow. If kids don’t develop self-control, cooperation, honor, and integrity at home, they’ll have a much more difficult time out in the world. In fact, your controlled firmness at home can teach children lessons more easily than the harshness of life that will come later.

Romans 5:3-4 reads, “We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” The important principle in this passage is one that applies to all people, even children. Growth often takes place under pressure.

This parenting tip comes from the new eBook, Parenting Shifts: 50 Heart-Based Strategies to Keep You Growing in Your Parenting by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN. You can download this book directly to your computer or eReader.