Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 132 - What My Teen Taught Me About Raising Kids
Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 132 – What My Teen Taught Me About Raising Kids
Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast gives you the awareness and tools you need to STOP being a GOOD mom and BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you will be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture.
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Now on to this episode, a slightly edited version of a previous episode #37 – Life Lessons From My Teen.
When I spoke at our church last weekend regarding parenting and building strong, godly identity in our children, my daughter was asked what she believes helped her grow into a godly young woman.
It reminded me of the time she graduated from high school, and we were sharing a walk in the neighborhood. On that day I spontaneously asked her to share 3 things she thought I did well while raising her.
It turns out that two years later, she still offers the same answers.
Would you like to hear what she said?
The top 3 things my daughter believes helped shape the morals she holds as a young adult were:
1. Church/Service – Because she was raised going to church out of reverence and love for God, and we were very active in many activities and committees as she was growing up, my daughter believes it taught her to make God a priority and that serving in the areas He calls you to at church is an act of love and obedience. Every committee meeting I could bring my daughter to, I made sure she was present. Sometimes my husband took her to his. My daughter helped set up for events, she danced at meetings and programs, and she helped make decorations. When I prepared materials for VBS, she helped. When I had to clean up after VBS, she helped. When we opened our home several times to house out of town college students, she was part of the conversations we had. Everything she could take part in, we allowed. Now she is a four-time Presidential Gold Service Award winner and has hours logged in other years that she never submitted for awards. Serving is natural for her and now, as an adult Christian she knows that she is serving for Him above all.
2. Awareness – Because we taught her to be selective and careful about what clothing she wore and what types of music she listened to, my daughter believes she learned a foundational understanding of being conscious of how she presents herself and what she allows to reside in her mind. She believes that how she learned to manage what she allowed into her mind taught her to carefully consider what she listens to or watches. For example, we taught her not to wear a bikini out in public as we did not want her to desire wearing scanty clothing when she was a tween or teen. We didn’t allow short shorts or shorts and sweats with writing on the bottom. Looking forward to the future with present decisions made a huge difference in what she came to desire as she matured.
3. Respect – Because my daughter feels that my husband and I respected the gifts and talents God placed within her, and that we helped and encouraged her to find and pursue them, she feels very blessed for our support. My daughter believes that when parents truly respect the child as a whole and unique person created by God, it makes it much easier to find the passions He crafted within and allows a stronger parent/child relationship. She felt that we actually paid attention to who she is and not what we wanted her to be or become.
I was blessed so much by hearing her answers. I want to state that I didn’t know what she would say and truly, her answers surprised me. They weren’t the answers I thought she would give, but I’m so thankful for the ways God spoke to us while raising her. I thankful for the tiny acts that we made consistently over the years. They paid off for her and us in the best ways now that our daughter is facing young adult years.
Please mothers, use what I shared to remember that what you do matters! Continue to seek God’s Word and use it in practical, godly ways. Proverbs 4:5 says, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.”
Ask God for the wisdom to raise your children wisely. Ask Him to lead you in raising godly children who know and honor Him.
Ask Him to keep you consistent in pursuing and shining Him to your children and family. Making God a priority and remaining in Him over the years will teach your children that your faith is real because God is.
If you’d like to hear more, I’ll be sure to let you know when it airs. Remember, I’m not sharing this with you because I think I’m the greatest mother. I share because anything that worked well came from God. I know anything I did well came from His wisdom.
Mothers, continue looking Up and seek Him in all decisions. Although I fall short, He still lifts up what I offer and multiplies beyond my wildest dreams. He will absolutely do the same for you.
Dear Heavenly Father, Your goodness to us is overwhelming. Your love is beyond what we can comprehend. How faithful You are. I thank you for all You are and do in our lives. Father, even when we absolutely do not deserve Your best, You still offer it. Thank you. Lord, please help me, help each of us to continue to seek You through Your Word, prayer, and service in all the ways You call and desire. Help us to hear You clearly because we seek You consistently. May we, and our children, please You more each day. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
If you have questions after this episode, please reach out to me at info@terrihitt.com. I’m happy to help you discover the ways you can raise your children to seek and honor the Lord.
I also have a resource that you’ll find helpful as you navigate your daily routine as a mom. If you’re ready to become the godly mother God entrusts you to be for Him and His children, you’ll love my free “Good to Godly: A 31-Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms.” Visit terrihitt.com to receive this resource.
If you’re ready to be more intentional - to be purposed in preparing your children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ, contact me at info@terrihitt.com. I think you’ll be interested in my Set-Apart summer renewal for $197. Hurry! This summer offer won’t last.
Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. Remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ.