Where do your parenting ideas and beliefs come from? How do you forge your convictions? These days there is plenty of information available to help raise children. The Internet, books, classes and support groups — there’s something for everyone and everyone has an opinion. Some of it is good and trustworthy, but so much of it is not, and that is where problems come in. Opinions vary! If you have a tendency to listen to everyone and everything, then there is a greater chance that you will end up believing anything. As a result, rather than feeling more confident, you probably will feel confused and overwhelmed. We would not desire that for any of our parents. Here is some advice that has, over the years, proven reliable. The best way to sift through different parenting views, philosophies and advice is to look at the fruit produced by the various opinions. Look at families further along in their parenting than you. When seeing character qualities and virtues that you admire in other children or order in a home that you may not have yet achieved, inquire of the parents how they achieved that which you are seeking. From a parenting perspective, and especially for moms, following after a good example is much wiser and safer than following after someone’s ‘good opinion’ or the latest parenting fad. With a good example, at least you know what you’re getting. And isn’t this the point Apostle Paul made in 1 Timothy 6:11 when he encouraged Timothy to follow after the examples and traits that he saw in a righteous life — a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness and courtesy? Anyone can offer a compelling opinion on parenting, but nothing is more persuasive to a mother than compelling behavior. That is why good and respected families are one of the safest places to get advice to help you in your journey of motherhood.
This article taken from and used with permission from the Growing Families International website at www.growingfamiliesausa.com.
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