Parenting

Recently ive been thinking (with the situation with me and my parents, with the recent mother's and father's day, with today's happenings), what is the role of a parent?  what is good parenting? not because im trying to evaluate my parents but because i think its hard. parenting is one of those things where there's no clear black and white, and where there isnt a one size fit all kind of way of doing things. for every child is different, and how each child will respond to a certain parenting style differs as well. and i often ask myself, how will i treat my children in the future?

but at this point i think, a parent's love is one of utmost importance. it is important that a parent is there to support and love a child and provide that safe environment where they can come home to everyday. someone whom they can run to when they fall, someone whom they know will always be there through the ups and downs of life. but what about guidance? guidance is important too, is guidance about the yes-es and the no-es? about directing the path? providing advice? i think as parents too, it is important to understand that God is in control of your child's life ultimately, not you. parents also need to trust, in order to let go. parenting is not about controlling your children, or about telling them what to do and what not to do. in the younger stages, yes perhaps it is important to talk about the do-s and dont-s, but as your children grow up, things change. more so when your children become adults, the relationship changes too. i think for parents, it is often difficult to let go of your children when they become adults, it is hard to understand that they too are able to make decisions and they too have a set of values and beliefs.

thats why i think on top of providing advice, guidance as an "elder" and someone who is "wiser", a parent should remember to love their children. that in a child's failures, when they feel like they are in the pits, they can run to their parents arms.

what does the bible talk about parenting? i should do a concordance on this! that will be interesting. from what i remember, parents are called to
 - love their children
 - teach their children the ways of the lord
 - tell of God's faithfulness in their generation so it can be passed on through generations

and more research needs to be done! what do you think parenting is all about?