Parenting

Discipline in growing up children!!  Many a parent will bear me witness tht discipline is not easily achievable especially without consistency by the parent.  But this is not more of a challenge as it is when as a parent you do all that it takes - all that you know, and yet according to you, you do not achieve your objective.

This last week, I have been struggling with an aspect of discipline with one of my boys.  One week ago, I sat down with him and talked, counselled, prayed, laughed and cried together!!!  And after that, I was so elated, deep settled in my heart that, that talk was trully penetrating to his heart and whatever he had done, he could not repeat.  That he understood the consequences and besides, with Christ, he would have the strength, not to conform to the world, but be transformed by the word of God.

My excitement didnt last for two days.  On the second day, not only did he repeate exactly what he had done, but also did something else different which was not completely acceptable.  You can start imagining what I felt - down, almost broken, and I was wondering - my God, what and how do you want to deal with this young man.  I felt like I could give him a thorough beat, and I resolved that would not do.  I sat down with him and after another talk, forgave him.  In two more days, something else was done, this time round, I denied him his best programme on tv - no anything thing could he watch and he could also not go out to play.  After sometime, he cooled down and with his hyperactivity, I could see that he was struggling between obedience and throwing the towel. 

After a number of observations, I decided (and since this is something I have learnt of him over a time now), that the best measure of discipline is to deny him a trip which was forthcoming.  He did not seem to mind this, but the only question was, are you also doing this to bro?  He however later one came and apologized, though I had made up my mind that he would not take up the trip.

As I write this piece, I know many parents out there have faced something like it or close.  Where you feel you have varied all forms of discipline you know of.  You even know the temperaments of your child and how he responds to different situations and circumstance and yet, you are trully caught off guard by the turn out of events. 

It is upon this that I conclude that, besides all the measures we take, lets learn to surrender our children fully to God.  Dedicate and re-dedicate them to God.  God knows them better than we do.  He has a good plan for them.  As a parent, do the best you can and leave the rest in the arms of God.  It can be discouraging but do not give up especially because children can very easily be used of the devil to torment you and bring you down.  They use the spirit of manipulation and as a parent you might feel worn out.  Do not give up.  Discipline (character and virtues) are not acquaired in a day.  This is a process.  Be patient and ask the Lord for his divine guidance.  Let me have your thoughts and experiences on the same.

Bless you.

Rose Kainda