Day Eleven Forty Days of Focus: Relationships

When there is discipline without nurture children will get angry, and rightly so. A parent's job is not just correcting a child but also nurturing the child. There must be a good balance of both. A parent who is disciplining a child halts their actions while a parent who nurtures catches them in their arms. Children are vulnerable. Not only are they small, but they are not sure how things work. They want to be accepted, to be safe, to be loved. Parents are the primary place where they receive this kind of care. It is important that they know beyond a doubt that they will always be loved by their parents, no matter what, and they will not know this unless it is spoken. Don't ever assume your kids know they are loved. They need to hear it often. Quality time with your kids is a must. Life is busy. In order to make sure your kids get enough of you, it is important to create intentional rhythms that cycle around weekly, monthly and yearly. Spend time daily with them. Find them in the places they are at and talk to them, hug them and tell them that you love them. No child should ever wonder if they are loved deeply. Remember, hypocrisy is like poison to your relationship with your child, so never tell them with words you love them and tell them with your actions that you don't.