Kids These Days!

Have you heard that spoken? Have you said it yourself? I will confess to having said this and amened it from someone else.

May I be honest? The undisciplined nature of many children these days, disturbs me. The lack of respect I see in children is unsettling.

Too often I hear parents say that they don't want to discipline their children because they want to be their friend. They argue that their children will hate them if they correct them. Now I will have to make another confession: I just rolled my eyes.

When did it become the responsibility of young children to rule the household? Who said that a parent could shirk their responsibility?

Do parents realize that children actually desire boundaries? To truly show care, a parent must guide and direct children through the use of discipline. I'm not advocating beating a child, but there are times when a pat on the bottom is all that will get attention. Time-out doesn't work with all children.

Working in the public school system, I see so much disrespect in children. I wonder what kind of adult that child will turn out to be without the proper training in respecting others and using self-control.

As Christian parents we have a responsibility to discipline our children and teach them self-control. We can't think this shows that we don't love our children - to the contrary.

"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." Proverbs 3:11-12

Ephesians six commands that parents bring up their children in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Sadly, when we fail to do our job as parents, our children grow into adults that struggle in the workplace or in school. Having no training at home causes them to lack the self-discipline and respect required in the world.

The best way to show the love you have for your children is to raise them following the Lord's instructions. God commands us to train and discipline our offspring. It's hard at times, but God doesn't leave us alone. We have His promise that He is with us. We have His Word to instruct us and encourage us. We have prayer to lay out our struggles.

Your children are gifts from God, but they are also your responsibility. They need you to be the parent, not their friend. They are counting on your training to help them become well-rounded adults, ready for a Christ-like life.