Page 5 - 1. Grace Connections November Issue
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My daughter Kaylee is in an exciting I've heard many times a child needs a
place in her life but a tough one as well. She parent not a friend. However, our kids need
is almost 12 and in 6th grade. Anyone more friends as well. I want to be an example of
mature in life than myself or someone in the what a good friend is or does so that Kaylee
same place I'm sure you can relate. We, can be that to someone else. She can then
(meaning her and I) are in a place where expect that from someone else as well.
there are a lot of gray lines.
Of course, Kaylee sees me being a good
You know momma wants to know all friend to people outside of our household,
the things going on in her life. Tell me about but she experiences our friendship in a
your friends, what happened at practice, different way.
who do you like? Momma wants to know it
all. I am not saying that you should
always or only be your child's friend. There is
Well joke's on me because that's not a place for being a parent where we use
how it works. We have to approach with discipline and have expectations and expect
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caution, being ever so aware of how the respect. If you withhold correction and
Holy Spirit is leading our conversation. Do punishment from your children, you
not rely on your own experiences of how you demonstrate a lack of true love. Proverbs
think it should go. 13:24
I'm not saying that Kaylee or any However, there will be times where
child should have all the control but we're our children just need a friend someone to
also working on building a relationship of a just sit and listen. I want to be that for her.
different type right now. A bit case
sensitive. We as Mommas/ parents can be both
parents and friends with a little bit of
At first, I didn't ask questions because guidance. They both have the same qualities,
I was silly enough to think that she would don't they? We need to listen and not just
tell me everything or come to me if and when listen but hear what they're saying to us. Be
she wants to. And don't get me wrong there slow to speak, maybe even slower to anger.
are times where she did. And there were 19 My dearest brothers and sisters, take this
other times where she would just come and to heart: Be quick to listen, but slow to
lay in my lap and I would just hold her, just speak. And be slow to become angry, for
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what we both needed. human anger is never a legitimate tool to
promote God’s righteous purpose. James
However, speaking to another 1:19-20
momma, I realized maybe she wants me to
ask the questions and just maybe she wants I started asking questions and I've
to tell me all the things, but she doesn't gotten answers and as a result I've noticed a
know how. switch in Kaylee. When I show interest in
