The struggles are real.  It seems every day we end up bribing our children to eat good food, and manipulating them to do their homework.  Bribing and manipulating works.  And these short term solutions teach our children habits of relating that aren't healthy--in the long run.

 

Doug and Janet start a conversation today that includes these vital questions:

 

1. What are we inviting our children to trust?  What is the source of strength we are offering?
2. What are we protecting our children from?  (long term pain or short term pain?)
3. What are we risking?  What are we willing to risk? Parenting is an epic novel, not a short story.  This episode offers these take-aways to lend you strength in your important relationships:

• Parenting on the long road invites our children to live in freedom from their convictions--instead of the under the bondage of our control.
• Parenting on the long road invites us to look for causes and unmet needs--instead of quick fixes and short term solutions.
• Long road relationships invite us all to be safe--and known, instead of requiring us to be perfect--and afraid or empty.

Have you shared the BRAVE LOVE podcast with your friends?  Sharing your parenting journey with friends will lend you strength.  There is great hope.