How do You Parent?

One of the books I’m currently reading is Give them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick, and to be perfectly honest, it’s kicking me in the pants.

I’ve heard about the book many times and have had it on my shelf for nearly a year, but you know how God puts certain words in your path at just the right time? That’s what He’s done for me with this book.

I have written about teaching our kids to pray and family devotions, and I write over and over again about the importance of us as parents living out our faith, giving our kids an authentic model of what it means to follow Jesus — and yet, how often my parenting slips right back into anything but a Gospel-centered focus!

I impose the Law on my kids and set obedience as the standard to be obtained. Recently, this reality has been glaring in my face. I see it most when my sweet girl strives hard to meet my expectations, to do the “good girl” thing — and in her frustration and defiance when the bar is set too high. I also see it when I get unduly irritated over opportunities I have to train and teach my kids!

I’m trying to break free from living as a good girl, but here I am grooming my daughter into that mold!

I’ve been wrestling with the question of what makes our home distinctively Christian?  I don’t want our home to simply be a good, moral home! I want our home to be alive with the Spirit of God! I want to trust Him to change the hearts of my kids, not my rules, demand for obedience, or good intentions.

What a surprise picking up Give them Grace. Here I thought I was starting a light, fluffy parenting book, but instead I entered more deeply into the questions I’ve been wrestling, and I’m finding help along the way.

Though I didn’t intend for this post to be a book review, so far, it is definitely a book I recommend. Have you read it?

Today I’m over at For the Family, writing more about the struggle I’ve had and sharing a sweet story about my daughter and a gift she received and how again I was reminded of what it really means to disciple our children and encourage them to grow in their own faith.

Click over to read more.

Question for You:

What are your thoughts on the difference between moral parenting and Gospel-centered parenting? Where do you find that most of your parenting falls? {I’ll be honest, for me, I have a lot of room for improvement!!}

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Flickr Photo Credit: “holding hands” by aaron gilson