I told myself that I would do things differently.
The truth is, I did. Poorly at first, but then I learned better, got help and did better.
But what I’ve learned is this:
I can do the best I can as a parent, but it will never be good enough that my kids won’t have problems.
I could never say a negative word about my body or anybody else's and my daughter still might have body image issues. I can be a gentle parent and my kids might still struggle with pleasing people and perfectionism.
There are no perfect parents, and there are no perfect kids. There are no perfect relationships. There is conflict in all relationships, and there are flaws in all people.
Regardless of my performance as a parent, my kids will still be sinners who need a Savior. And I am not that Savior.
What I’ve learned about parenting, and relationships in general, is that the quality of the relationship is dependent on the quality of the repair that takes place when something goes wrong.
How do I make amends when I make a mistake? How do I react when I realize I’m doing something wrong or I’ve hurt my kids in some way? What do I do when I feel negatively toward my husband? When I feel bitterness creep in? Do I blame other people, or take responsibility for my part? Do I share how I feel and what I need or do I wait for them to read my mind?
Show them how to make amends with God, themselves and other people. It's like teaching a hungry man to fish . . . they will be fed for life.
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