Parental Responsibility

 

Nothing is more disturbing than a parent who abandons their child or does physical harm to that child.

Yet, I wonder how many times I do harm, if not physically, but emotionally and spiritually to the precious gift(s) God has given to me.

Harm can come in different forms. One way can be the busyness that is part of living. So busy that I don’t have time for the most important people in my life.

I speak for myself when I say that I have too many other things “to do.” I don’t have time to listen at that moment. Or I stop what I’m doing and, with an attitude, listen to what they’re saying.

Which is worse? They’re both bad. They both speak a message to the child saying, “You’re not as important as this thing I’m doing. Please leave me alone.” Do I really feel this way? Never! But, like they say, perception is reality.

I never, ever want my children to feel that they can’t come to me. But by not making myself available (the key word here is “making” myself) to them, they will soon get the picture that they can’t come to me with whatever is bothering them. They won’t come to me with the blessings and joys in their lives, either (as described by Sally Clarkson in this video.)

Part of my responsibility as a parent is to provide for them emotionally. This will help them to grow into stable adults. I will have done my job well if this is accomplished.

Which ways do you make your child feel cherished and loved?