Mom Rules

Being a mom has a whole lot more to do with life than changing poopy diapers, nursing, schooling, dressing, and disciplining. It's when you change that diaper or where you nurse your baby, how you go about schooling and why and how you discipline. I've made a short 3 point list of rules every mom (or parent) should have. It's short and easy to remember so you can quickly think through the questions when parenting.

Rule 1 - The Golden Rule

Matthew 7:12 "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and prophets."

Treat your children as if they are a person, a real person who understand, cares, feels, and dreams. They are not your minions, your slaves, or even yours at all for that matter. They belong to the Lord and they are yours to nurture, love, and teach. They have a soul, and feelings. When debating if you have time to change their diaper, or heat up their lunch, or grab that pair of mittens… remember they have feelings to. What would you want done to you, if you were an invalid and could do nothing for yourself. Would you be okay if someone fudged on their duties toward you? Would you be okay with suffering a little bit so your caretaker could take it easy a little longer? I think not! just because a child can't talk directly to you, or doesn't have the authority to tell you what to do, doesn't make them inferior to you.

Rule 2 - Be Honor Worthy
 Ephesians 6:2 "Honor your father and mother,(this is the first commandment with a promise)."
This verse is directed mainly toward your child. They should honor you in all they do and say, because God has placed you over them to train, teach, and raise for the Lord. But the verse is also for you mom, are you being the kind of mom that can be honored? Are you kind, and wise, do you take time to listen to your children? Do you try to work through their problems with them? Are you caring and softhearted? Be the kind of leader in your home that deserves honor and respect. Don't be a pushover, don't let your children take charge. Show them who will make the decisions and then stick to that making them understand that your word is final. No means no, but also yes should always mean yes. Never say something to get your child "off your back". Always mean what you say and follow through. Never reprimand without a consequence and never leave off the consequence if the behavior continues. To be honor worthy you must be trusted, you can not lie to your children, you can not make false promises. To be honor worthy you need to listen, be the person they can come to, to talk. Once again, your children are just miniatures of you, they have feelings and you should treat them as you would want to be treated. Once you care for them like you would yourself they will trust and honor you in the way you desire.

Rule 3 - Be A Leader
Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."
Don't let your children rule over you. Be firm, be the one in charge at all times. Discipline is not mean or cruel, is does not give your child a "complex" or make them feel less of themselves. It's the unruly child who feels these things. They have no direction, no understanding of right and wrong. You are the ordained leader in your home over your children, it is your job to teach them by love and encouragement and by discipline. Be consistent in everything you do. Good habits are born from consistency. We are born sinners and one mistake can create a loophole of doubt in your leadership. It is always easy to sin, it is rarely easy to do what is right. Be firm, be loving and kind, Be in charge!

Sarah