Peaceful parenting is the natural result of Bonding With Your Child Through Boundaries.
Families thrive when children know what to do and parents have systems in place that relieve the need to nag.
As parents, we can guide and nurture our children to become skilled in becoming personally responsible. Children become confident in their decision-making abilities as parents provide thoughtful opportunities to practice. “Gabe, you left your skateboard in the driveway. If you choose not to put it away at the end of the day, you will be choosing not to ride it for the weekend.”
How much more peaceful are relationships when children learn to make responsible choices, readying them for independence as functioning and contributing adults.
Home, Safe Home
Home is an incubator for children, a place for kids to explore their world and to become all they can be. Within this safe nest, your role as a parent is to
- nurture their potential
- discourage their defiance
- focus on their strengths
Boundaries are established limits – lines not to be crossed. Right away, children understand that cribs have sides, bathrooms have doors, streets have curbs, and sports have rules. Children quickly understand when playing basketball that stepping outside bounds has a repercussion. Clearly presented boundaries develop a child’s ability to make good decisions. Breaking a boundary results in a repercussion. Maintaining a boundary results in reward.
Healthy Boundaries
External boundaries are designed to develop internal character. It is the same style God uses to encourage our growth. In the natural world, we know that gravity presents a boundary. Society has boundaries and someone who breaks traffic laws is subject to traffic fines. God established boundaries outlined in the Bible, and gives us free choice. We can choose to break a boundary and receive the repercussion. Or we can grow within the healthy boundaries God gave and experience the rewards.
God is a peaceful parent. We apply peaceful parenting when we emulate our Heavenly Father’s model by giving our children fair and healthy boundaries.
For You
For more easy-to-apply parenting tips, check out Bonding With Your Child Through Boundaries, HERE.
For additional information about peaceful parenting, grab your copy of Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make.
