A co-worker has recently celebrated the birth of her second child. This news prompted lunch conversation about raising children, how one child is going through the "terrible two's" and another constantly makes embarrasing comments in public. A devout relative of mine has been known to remark, upon hearing of a new birth, "There's another little sinner, come into the world," with no ill intended.
I have both participated in and observed the raising of children, and I am now experiencing the joys of grandparenthood. I have learned a lot, reflecting on my shortcomings as a parent, and trying different approaches as a grandparent. As often as we regard children as special gifts, how often do we proceed to treat them as merely attachments?
In our busy lives, replete with complicated adult relationships, career challenges and abundant choices of multimedia entertainment, we tend to forget the God-given mandate of nurturing our children. Whether we realize it or not, God is always at work raising us. He runs an entire universe, and yet is always keeping an eye on us.
Children "act up" because they are needing attention. Sometimes direct attention with interaction; other times just being in the room, but letting the child know that you care about being with them. They are the primary assignment for any parent, an assignment that should be taken seriously, yet addressed with joy.
Many parents wonder why, when they continually spank them, their son or daughter goes right back to the bad behavior. Because, as painful as it is, receiving the spanking is at least a form of much-needed attention. Even abused children will fight being taken out of the home, because there is a level of security, albeit strained, that only requires their trust. How sad to not be able to see the precious life put into your hands!
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