3 Ways to Invest in your Children

I have 4 daughters just 6 1/2 years apart. They are all a little older now but when they were younger there was one time on Facebook I posted, “I really think when push comes to shove, I don’t have the foggiest idea what I’m doing 99% of the time”.  And while I may not have posted that same post often, I felt that way a lot of times while raising my children. I meant it then and I mean it now. Can anyone other parent relate?

That post was in reference to me being a father of 4 daughters just 6.5 years apart.  They love each other, hate each other, have high emotions, no emotions (wait, that’s not true – just sounded good).  They wake up cranky, stay cranky, go to bed cranky.  How the heck am I suppose to raise the girls? Especially since I had only brothers growing up. I didn’t know the foggiest thing about these girls and still don’t! In addition, I don’t know that there is a book out there that can give me that understanding. Obviously, there are different strategies you can invoke and enact but not ever seemed to be the right fit for my family.

While parenting books are great, I firmly believe that there is nothing that can fully prepare you for your children. Parents really are left to figure it out on the run…on the job training.  While this is true, there were and are a few things that I did and still do that made an impact.

• Circle Time. Circle time was our time at night right before they went to bed that we literally got in a circle to talk about our day, go over what was going to happen the next day. It was important while my girls were younger to make sure we were all on the same page on what happened and what will be happening in the day(s) ahead. 
• Be there. Consistency matters. Children need stability, someone they will know that will be there. We talk about this a lot in ministry for leaders to be consistent in the lives of students but it also applies to your family life. Your children want to see you in the stands cheering them on or in the auditorium supporting them. They want you to go to the parent/teacher conferences that schools have. Showing up is such an underrated aspect that parenting that is key.
• Pray for them. I pray for them a lot. We pray at meals, we pray before bed and I pray for them before they walk out the door on their way to school or an event. This was modeled to me by a parent of one of my friends growing up. She would always pray for her son every time we went out. I pray for my children and I pray for them to make wise, godly decisions because I know that no matter how much I teach and support them, they are ultimately going to be left making the decision once they leave my house. So I pray that God is with them and guides them.

Every family is different. Not all strategies and formulas that you read about in the books or seminars will work for you family. I have found these three simple actions I did and continue to do with my children have helped a lot and have made a difference in how they live their lives today.

Are you a parent? What do you do?  How do you invest in your children? Share your thoughts or experiences below or on social media using #ymsidekick when you share.

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