Guilt Free Parenting

I don't know about you, but I do guilt very well. At times it seems like I can feel guilty for almost anything. Also, as a parent I mess up routinely. I can be short with my temper and my words are not always pleasant. Also, there seems to be a new parenting article out daily that tells you how to parent and of course it feels like to me anyway that I always come up short. My hunch is I am not the only one that feels that way. So, how do I have the audacity to come up with an article entitled, “Guilt Free Parenting”? Actually, it wasn't totally my idea. God placed the idea and burden on my heart to share it with you.

Let's look at Psalm 139:16, “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” Basically before you were born, God marked out your days and may I add, also your children's days. God has a plan for you and He has one for your children as well.

What does all of this have to do with guilt free parenting? I'm glad you asked. God is truly in control of your life and your children's lives as well. We cannot always see His hand or plan, but He is there. That means on our worst parenting days God is still working His plan in our lives and in our children's lives in spite of us. There have been so many times in the Bible where at first glance God's plan did not make sense, and later, it made perfect sense. So, when we are not doing a good job, God is still working in our lives.

I want to quickly say this does not give us permission to say, “I don't have to parent, God is in control.” I'm not saying that at all. What I am saying is quit beating yourself up when you have not done a good job. God does not expect us to be perfect parents or have perfect children. If He expected that or required that, we would not need Jesus.

May I suggest when you have that guilty feeling or bad parenting moment, run to God and readmit how much you need Him. Sometimes I even say, “God these are your children too and I know you love them, please help me. Give me strength to be the parent you would have me be.”

Guilt Free Parenting means relying on our Father and trusting Him to guide us in parenting our children. It means realizing how deeply I need God and His wisdom in every area of my life and how I need to run to Him daily for strength and encouragement. I'm so thankful I'm not parenting alone, but with someone who is the Perfect Parent. So, are you willing to try Guilt Free Parenting for a change?

Author: Kimberly Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist: Kimberly Chastain or Christian Working Mom - Submitted by Sis. Sandra Marchant