RAISING A STRONG DAUGHTER - WEEK 12 - CHAPTER 11

RAISING A STRONG DAUGHTER IN A TOXIC CULTURE: 11 STEPS TO KEEP HER HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND SAFE by Meg Meeker, M.D.

Well, it's time to wrap this great read up, and as I close the book I find myself in an interesting place in life.I'm straddling both sides of the fence as far as launched kids and kids at home. Three of mine are launched or in the process of being launched, and two are still at home. The story of the sister-in-law that had cancer was such an eye opening and moving one. One of the main goals from day one of our children's lives is to work ourselves out of the job of parenthood. Yes, we as parents are still here for our kids. (At 49-years-of-age I periodically still call my parents for advice on things.) But cutting the strings is necessary.

We all know people with adult kids that have had their wings clipped. We know what that picture looks like. They're essentially nothing but a caged bird staring at life through the bars of one of a million created prisons. They have no life, ambition, faith, goals, dreams, courage, etc. It's heartbreaking to see., because it's unnatural.

Standing back and letting your child endure hardships is one of the toughest things ever. When friends betray them, people mistreat them, commitments don't pan out to what they thought they were going to be, it isn't easy. You pray alongside them. You encourage them to stick it out where that needs to happen, and sometimes you cut bait and fish in a different hole. We've had to do that a time or two. But we don't let them become a victim. There's too many opportunities in life, and God has a calling on each one of our lives with a purpose. Parents, we must be faithful at helping our kids become what they were designed to be. If we don't, we cripple them for a lifetime.

It's been wonderful going through this book with you! I hope that it has both strengthened and challenged you in how you approach your daughters! Next up, TEATIME DISCIPLESHIP. First post goes up next Thursday! I hope you plan on joining in! It's going to be another great read with true application for our lives!