Years ago, shortly after I graduated from high school, I went horseback riding with a group of friends. At one particularly rocky part of the train, I was struggling to keep my horse steady. The trail guide came back next to me and I shared my struggle. She told me "You have to actually ride him. You can't just correct a little to the right and left when he strays. Get a firm grip, and make sure he knows where you want him to go."
Parenting can be a bit like riding a horse. You can't just correct a little when they start to go off the path. Successful parenting requires clearly and consistently guiding them to the path they should be on.
Raising a child is more than just feeding and clothing and giving hugs and kisses. It's giving them the life skills they need to function as an adult. In fact, I think it would be more appropriate to say we're not raising children. We're raising adults. And our daily interactions with them should have the long-term purpose of teaching them the skills they're going to need to succeed.
A relationship based on mutual trust and respect is essential to raising a successful, self-confident adult. I hope to give you the tools to disciple you child while creating the bond that comes from compassion and understanding.
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