Carlos Whittaker

Jan29

5 Parenting Tips From A Messed Up Dad

I have learned lots in my 10 years keeping kids alive on planet earth.
I get it wrong more than I get it right, but when I get it right, it sticks…
Here are some random thoughts for today

1. Your kids will not chase pornography. Pornography will chase them.
It’s everywhere people. Say no to the wifi. It’s really easy.
2. Keep your kids, kids.
It may be cute to dress them up at H&M. I do it. But don’t rob them of their childhood. Let them play in the mud in their new H&M swag.
3. Don’t pigeon hole them into believing they are just like one parent or the other.
They may lean one way but let that be just that. There is nothing worse than thinking you can’t be like one of your parents no matter hard you try.
4. Netflix isn’t a babysitter.
5. Your kids will have plenty of friends in life. They won’t have any other parents. Unless you screw up.
Be their parents first…

6. Fill in this tip in the comment section…
Los

http://www.chrisburke.ca Chris Burke

Don’t be afraid to discipline your kids! We were disciplined as children, and we didn’t turn out that bad! Don’t beat your kid, discipline your kid! There’s nothing as bad as a bratty undisciplined kid!
http://twitter.com/bryanallain Bryan Allain

6. Never hold back physical touch. My son is way more into hugs and snuggling than my daughter, but that doesn’t stop us from forcing her to be close. We all need that physical contact, so I try to hug my daughter (or tickle her, or give her a horsey ride, or even just a high five) every day, even though at 11 she likes to think she’s over it.
http://twitter.com/CathyGergen Cathy Gergen

6. Make your home a safe place to admit mistakes, then learn, grow, and move beyond them.
JViola79

Be fully present when they are telling you about their day. Listen. Ask them questions. Be interested. Don’t let them feel rushed through or that you are distracted. Otherwise, they will find someone else to share their news with.
Skegeeace

There’s more to being there than just being physically there. Talk to them, look them in the eyes, listen, and smile. A lot.
http://twitter.com/tamhodge Tammy Hodge

admit when you’re wrong or have made a mistake to your kids. a parent who can apologize to their children for being wrong, saying something hurtful or stupid to them sets them up to know they can admit their wrongs too. and their respect for you will grow.
http://twitter.com/tamhodge Tammy Hodge

ooo! and choose your words carefully. i remember one time when kassidi was about 3 years old i walked by her room and saw her jumping on the bed…i continued to pass but said this to her…”you’re not jumping on the bed are you?” her reply, “Nope!” I instantly realized i had set her up to lie to me. of course she was gonna say no. i took the easy way out to get her to stop jumping on the bed but did her no favors. it’s always worth the stopping to invest good character and honesty into your kids.
Amber Lindop

Never tell your child he or she is stupid.Only later will we see how impressionable they really are. We need to be honest and constructively help them, but I think letting them know they are beautiful and will always continue learning is a bit more important.
Angela

Really listen to them when they talk, even if it’s about something funny their friends, friend did on the playground that day. If they know you’ll always be present and actually willing to listen to them, they’ll never stop talking to you.
http://twitter.com/MichelleSabados Michelle Sabados

There are no perfect kids…and even fewer perfect parents. I have yet to meet an adult who came through childhood without scars. No matter how hard you try, how purely you love, your teen/young adult kids will point out your parental failings. Extend lots of grace….to them, to your spouse and yourself and wait for the day you get to spoil grandkids rotten! .
http://www.facebook.com/people/Michele-Henshaw-Wensell/566466447 Michele Henshaw Wensell

Always apologize to your kids when you are in the wrong. I have heard many times from kids that their parents never apologize for anything. Extend grace to your kids. When you remember what Christ has done on the cross…..how can you not?
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Alicia K

From one who is still on the kid side of things (aka I don’t have any of my own yet) – Don’t pigeon-hole yourself if you’ve screwed up. My dad was emotionally absent for a good bit of middle school and high school … he worked a ton! But he made some changes when I was in college. He took me out on daddy/daughter dates only after I was 18+. And now that I live across the country from him, he tells me that talking to me made his day after we catch up over the phone. I’m 26 and that still makes my heart light. It still makes me feel like I matter.
Carmen Whittaker

Don’t belittle your spouse, specially in front of the kids.
http://twitter.com/leecoate Lee Coate

Stop merely programming spiritual moments into your home. Live as a spiritual person showing them how God is working in you through everyday moments. Family devotions are great but devoted families are better.
Eric Dion Baker

6. The parent is the parent and the child is the child. The parent loves, provides, stewards, and disciplines. The child loves, is protected, is cared for, is parented. The child doesn’t make the rules, the parents don’t throw the tantrums. And as a parent, you are being watched by your child far more than you are watching your child,
http://www.chrisburke.ca Chris Burke

Wondering if everyone giving parenting advice below is a parent… I hope so!!
http://www.beckycastlemiller.com/ Becky Castle Miller

Model repentance. I repented to my 4-year-old son last night for grabbing him in anger, and he turned around and — totally unprompted — repented to me for whacking and kicking me in response. It is usually like pulling teeth to get him to apologize to anyone for anything, but as soon as he saw me do it, he did it himself. Amazing.
Holly Prosser

Make up holidays to celebrate. Life is to be enjoyed, relished, not something to get through. Celebrate something every day. Make memories!
Ira Lee Henson

6. encourage imagination!!!!! let them be little!!!!! something i struggle with, is the balance between these things AND teaching responsibility. the line is blurry with me, i want them to stay young and free- but i have to teach them to live, to work, to clean, to respect, to be a good Christian.
ima add a #7 lol apologize when you have messed up. i had this vision of adulthood that was filled with late nights, fun and freedom, no troubles, and most of all no more mistakes!!!! boy was i wrong! teach those kids that we always make mistakes! but as christians, we are given forgiveness and grace to learn and grow!!!
Angie

Be faithful in the gospel. Speak it daily into their circumstances and show mercy, grace, forgiveness. In order to be a tool of grace I must show grace as well as be quick to acknowledge and confess sin. They need to see, hear and know I am not perfect and do not expect perfection from them. It’s always about Jesus and pointing them to the Cross. And they know that I love them: always and forever. No matter what.
http://www.facebook.com/aideenjohnston Aideen Johnston

I had a Q about your first tip –
“Your kids will not chase pornography. Pornography will chase them.
It’s everywhere people. Say no to the wifi. It’s really easy.”

What do you mean say no to the wifi? Do you not have wireless internet in your house? Or is it a case of not allowing your kids to have their own computers/smartphones?