Like it or not, your kids are growing up. We just celebrated Jack’s 8th birthday and I can’t believe that he was only two when we arrived here in Princeton. He’s gone from a toddler to a boy in just moments. I won’t even talk about Grace in Youth Group or Joe, the Marine. Our time with our kids goes so fast. Yes, there are occasionally periods when it seems like the clock stops and we think they will NEVER grow out of a difficult state, but for the most part time just flies by.
Our teenagers are undergoing ENORMOUS change, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. God gave us the amazing privilege of shepherding them through this process from total dependence to independence. While we may try to slow down the clock or stop them from growing up, we will only hurt them in the end. Tragically, more and more young adults are extending adolescence and delaying growing up and moving on. This can be fueled by doting, helicopter (hovering) parents who don’t let them make their own decisions and begin to stand on their own.
Don’t make this mistake. Consciously prepare them to live as faithful, godly, responsible, independent adults. Remember the goal of adolescence is independence and the ability to make wise, godly choices on their own.
They are capable of so much more than we often give them credit for. Stop and notice the amazing things they are doing and let them know it! I love the encouragement the Apostle Paul gave to Timothy in the verse below. Let’s raise the bar for our kids!
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV)
I’m praying with you and for you. Please let me know how I can serve you and your family.
in Christ,
Pastor Mark
P.S. The blog titles and main ideas come from Walt Mueller’s book “99 Thoughts for Parents of Teenagers”