Assertive Parents & Children
Reading: Luke 2:41-52
“Why were you searching for Me?” He asked.
“Didn’t you know I had to be in My Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what He was saying to them (Lk 2:49,50)
Children grow more and more assertive as they grow into teenage and then adulthood. We have an apt example in the life of Jesus. He was twelve years old when He went to Jerusalem along with the family. While returning He was missing. May be Mary was pregnant and with another three or four children tugging along. They must have thought Jesus old enough to take care of Himself. Jesus went missing for three days. It was a planned escape. He must have taken His tooth brush, paste, towel and change of clothes. Was what Jesus did right or wrong? If you say ‘Right,’ then you must allow your twelve year old to do it. If ‘Wrong,’ then you must accept that what Jesus did was wrong.
I broke my head and finally arrived at an answer. When you see children becoming assertive, quietly watch if they are going the way you taught. If yes, then relax, but be vigilant. Jesus was after all in the temple. He came back and was under His parents and grew in wisdom. That is how children grow in wisdom. We should not break their wings when they try to fly. You must remember, our days are not what Jesus’ days were. The world has become a very unsafe place for children. If they become assertive and take the wrong route then you have to act. Be easy on small things like hairstyle and dress, so that you can really be strong in matters like drugs, sex and late night parties. Don’t allow your children to push you to the wall. By twelve a child must be able to find the will of God for himself and yet be under parents’ authority.
Adult sons and daughters should also learn to be assertive with parents. You must, with the help of parents and spiritual leaders, be able to decide on major things. The ultimate decision should be yours.
Married children should not allow their parents to interfere in their family matters. Countless families have been destroyed because parents demanded obedience from their married sons and daughters. Husband and wife must take the final decision. Love them, but leave them and cleave to your partner.
Assertiveness may be misunderstood. But it is an attribute of Jesus we have to emulate.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Assertive Parents & Children
Reading: Luke 2:41-52
“Why were you searching for Me?” He asked.
“Didn’t you know I had to be in My Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what He was saying to them (Lk 2:49,50)
Children grow more and more assertive as they grow into teenage and then adulthood. We have an apt example in the life of Jesus. He was twelve years old when He went to Jerusalem along with the family. While returning He was missing. May be Mary was pregnant and with another three or four children tugging along. They must have thought Jesus old enough to take care of Himself. Jesus went missing for three days. It was a planned escape. He must have taken His tooth brush, paste, towel and change of clothes. Was what Jesus did right or wrong? If you say ‘Right,’ then you must allow your twelve year old to do it. If ‘Wrong,’ then you must accept that what Jesus did was wrong.
I broke my head and finally arrived at an answer. When you see children becoming assertive, quietly watch if they are going the way you taught. If yes, then relax, but be vigilant. Jesus was after all in the temple. He came back and was under His parents and grew in wisdom. That is how children grow in wisdom. We should not break their wings when they try to fly. You must remember, our days are not what Jesus’ days were. The world has become a very unsafe place for children. If they become assertive and take the wrong route then you have to act. Be easy on small things like hairstyle and dress, so that you can really be strong in matters like drugs, sex and late night parties. Don’t allow your children to push you to the wall. By twelve a child must be able to find the will of God for himself and yet be under parents’ authority.
Adult sons and daughters should also learn to be assertive with parents. You must, with the help of parents and spiritual leaders, be able to decide on major things. The ultimate decision should be yours.
Married children should not allow their parents to interfere in their family matters. Countless families have been destroyed because parents demanded obedience from their married sons and daughters. Husband and wife must take the final decision. Love them, but leave them and cleave to your partner.
Assertiveness may be misunderstood. But it is an attribute of Jesus we have to emulate.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
