Home motherhood/family/parenting Do You Enjoy Your Children?

Do You Enjoy Your Children?

by Kelly Crawford

Well, since I’m still here, I figured I should blog! (This after a sleepless night with false contractions all night only to wake up and have them subside 🙁

If you happen to notice in my sidebar, I’ve had time on chair rest to write a new ebook. It is entitled: “If Your Children Don’t Obey Until You Count To Eight, This is the Book That Cannot Wait!”

(I know it’s a long title…but I thought it was intriguing???)

I find so often, when I talk to women who say they must work outside the home, that after I scratch the surface a little while, I discover that many of them simply don’t like their children. They LOVE them dearly, they just don’t enjoy being with them, and so the thoughts of being with them all day is unthinkable.

Add to that the lack of “generational vision” of raising up godly children, a mammoth-sized feminism force telling them they should pursue a career, no encouragement from older women to be keepers at home, and no cultivated taste for homemaking, and its no wonder so many women have fled to the corporate world!

Well, we ladies have a lot of work to do fulfilling our duty as the “older women”….but I find it downright heartbreaking that we have cultivated a whole generation of parents who don’t even enjoy their own children, to the degree they are glad for someone else to do most of the raising!

For that reason I was prompted to write the child-training ebook. Raising obedient children is almost a lost art…and yet, it is actually quite simple! Well, the concept is simple. The tough part is making the commitment to spend the time and energy required to carry out these “simple” principles.

Oh that parents would understand who they are, what they have in their children, the vastly important work God has given them, and the privilege to carry out that work!

But as the value of children decreases, the value of the parent’s role also decreases. Obedience is only a thing hoped for, not a thing claimed by authority. And then all the parents gather together and compare notes, and console themselves by the fallen standards all around them. “Kids will be kids”, they say.

But the Lord has a different message…it is not outdated. How do you think Scripture can so boldly proclaim, “Children are a heritage of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is His REWARD. Blessed is the man whose quiver is FULL of them.”

Does the average parent believe this? Does he really want a quiver full? If not, he’s doing something wrong!

The children described in this verse are children whose parents have understood the mandate…

“Train up a child in the way he should go…”

“Raise your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord…”

“Discipline your son while there is time…”
“A child left to himself brings his mother shame…”

If we don’t enjoy our children, is it our fault or theirs?

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7 comments

Mrs. C October 2, 2007 - 7:16 pm

I think we also get wrapped up in the perfectionism, too. If we can’t do a *perfect* job with two kids, who are we to go and have 4? Maybe in some ways our standards get *too* high, although I know the type of parent you’re talking about as well.

There is just such an expectation out there that if you’re responsible, you will be able to provide college for your children as well as a new car upon graduation or 16th birthday…

Hopefully this baby comes before you are able to finish any more books, make an entire quilt or re-roof the house LOL …

Mrs. C.

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Mrs. Anna T October 3, 2007 - 4:30 am

Dear Kelly – I can imagine the suspense in your home right now! I’m so excited for you, as you’re about to meet your new little blessing. And, it sure seems your rest has been productive!

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Ashley October 3, 2007 - 10:36 am

I think you nailed this one; on the same note, there are some wives who *love* their husbands, but can’t imagine spending all day or retirement with them!

I read your blog nearly every day – but due to time constraints I don’t always comment. Okay, I mostly don’t comment, hahaha! I am eagerly awaiting news of your blessing’s arrival, though!!!

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Stephanie October 3, 2007 - 3:16 pm

I agree so much with what you are saying.
I say this carefully, but I feel that the younger generations not only have been fed a heaping scoop of feminism, but also a heaping scoop of “I want it now, my way, or else” Not all, I know that. But many are unprepared for home, family and motherhood and are more in love with the idealogy of it all than the reality of it. All of a sudden this cute little bundle of joy cramps their style, their budget and their career plans. Life turns out not to be harder than they anticipated, and you have a dissapointed momma and cranky children!

However, it is not solely their problem because many women from the older generation have abandoned them to society instead of stepping out and training them in Godliness and in the principles of Titus 2.

I have heard said that anyone can be a mom, but not everyone loves motherhood. I have to agree, and honestly I cannot imagine raising children without the strength of the Lord with me each day!

And the only way we can improve this battle is to be on our knees about it, pleading with God to take back the ground the enemy has stolen. Then we need live our lives as a light to the world so that other young woman will see what we have and beg for a dose of it!

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Word Warrior October 3, 2007 - 4:33 pm

Very well-said, Stephanie!

I’ve appreciated all these comments.

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Grafted Branch@Restoring the Years October 3, 2007 - 9:54 pm

Hi. Found you on a rabbit trail. It’s nice to “meet” you.

I’m having an amazing life raising my children, watching their milestones, teaching them, leading them, being taught *by* them. 😉

The Lord worked in our hearts a decade ago to allow Him to fill our quiver as He wills, but thus far He has shown us that our quiver is smaller than the “Quiverfull Movement” often allows for…which is to say we’ve left our family size to Him, but He’s only given us 3 living children. So far. 😉

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Word Warrior October 3, 2007 - 10:13 pm

Oh, what a blessing,grafted branch…I hope you don’t feel inadequate, somehow, because you don’t have 16 children…it’s not at all about the number, but the open heart to be obedient, and receive the blessings God has prepared for you since before the foundation of the world.

For some people, He will not give them any of their own, for whatever reason. But it’s a heart of obedience He seeks. The rest is His PERFECT plan!

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