All I ever longed for is to have a Christian family where each member would know, love, and serve Jesus. My husband and I are doing that with all our heart. We have 3 children who we dearly love. With the first 2, we were so strict, trying to make them serve the Lord. That didn't work. Now we have one more precious 15 year old daughter. We tried to be more easy going with her. She is greatly influenced by her siblings. Presently, she is acting completely rebellious. Does anyone know how to parent a rebel? Could you recommend a book on parenting rebels? Thank you.
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Hi Mo!
Thank you for your wise response. I appreciate that you are pointing me to the Father for true help. I know that is what is needed. I also appreciate the directions on how to pray. Thanks again. I would love to talk to you privately, but I don't know how to do that.
I could spend hours writing every word and action I have used with my daughters to deal and heal during those rebel years, but it may not do a bit of good for you since every child, every parent, every family dynamic is so very unique.
I have no way of knowing if you have made decisions based on good intentions, others advice, prayer or being led by the Spirit. You know that though and can assess if you have established and nourished a solid foundation in your relationship with your husband (that is equally as important) and your daughter.
There is no secret to parenting a "rebel child". You parent the child in the same manner you parent a "good child". Approaching the situation expecting to see her change sets an unrealistic expectation. Approach this situation asking God to change you so that you are equipped with the Wisdom of the Spirit to know how to move forward with her.
You may find that not a lot changes in her. Don't give up. Keep praying. Keep loving. Be consistent. Teens really do watch their parents to see if we walk the walk, to see if we give in or give up. If they see us falter, this rocks their foundation of faith and of family. She may not know how to process this information now, but there will come a time when it will "click" and she will look back and see that she was blessed with Godly parents. In the in-between time, pray for her safety, for her to be counseled by the Spirit and that she be surrounded by loving and nurturing Christians to help her along the way. Pray for her to see only the Truth in the influence of her siblings. Give this burden to God and don't take it back from Him.
We don't need books to guide us through parenting. We need parential advice and counsel from our Most Perfect and Glorious Father. Listen to what he would have you do for her. After all, he loves her perfectly and knows her better than herself.
If you'd like someone to talk to or pray with, you are more than welcome to send me a private note. I have good ears and a heart for seeing our children grow abundantly in Christ.
Replies
Thank you for your wise response. I appreciate that you are pointing me to the Father for true help. I know that is what is needed. I also appreciate the directions on how to pray. Thanks again. I would love to talk to you privately, but I don't know how to do that.
I could spend hours writing every word and action I have used with my daughters to deal and heal during those rebel years, but it may not do a bit of good for you since every child, every parent, every family dynamic is so very unique.
I have no way of knowing if you have made decisions based on good intentions, others advice, prayer or being led by the Spirit. You know that though and can assess if you have established and nourished a solid foundation in your relationship with your husband (that is equally as important) and your daughter.
There is no secret to parenting a "rebel child". You parent the child in the same manner you parent a "good child". Approaching the situation expecting to see her change sets an unrealistic expectation. Approach this situation asking God to change you so that you are equipped with the Wisdom of the Spirit to know how to move forward with her.
You may find that not a lot changes in her. Don't give up. Keep praying. Keep loving. Be consistent. Teens really do watch their parents to see if we walk the walk, to see if we give in or give up. If they see us falter, this rocks their foundation of faith and of family. She may not know how to process this information now, but there will come a time when it will "click" and she will look back and see that she was blessed with Godly parents. In the in-between time, pray for her safety, for her to be counseled by the Spirit and that she be surrounded by loving and nurturing Christians to help her along the way. Pray for her to see only the Truth in the influence of her siblings. Give this burden to God and don't take it back from Him.
We don't need books to guide us through parenting. We need parential advice and counsel from our Most Perfect and Glorious Father. Listen to what he would have you do for her. After all, he loves her perfectly and knows her better than herself.
If you'd like someone to talk to or pray with, you are more than welcome to send me a private note. I have good ears and a heart for seeing our children grow abundantly in Christ.