Parenting is Good Work

If you are a parent, you know it’s a lot of work. There are exhausting late nights caring for an infant, temper tantrums from toddlers, continual directions to growing children, and hormones through the teen years. I was recently reminded that regardless of the age of my kids, parenting is good work.

Not long ago an old memory came up in my social media feed. It began:

“This morning my 6yr old had to sit in time out for failure to obey and for having an attitude about being expected to.”

I took a moment to calculate which son was the offender as it was dated several years ago. The post went on:

“When we talked at the end of time out, he handed me his bible and asked me to read to him where it says children are to obey and exactly what it says he’s supposed to do. YES! Super reading and conversation time!”

I do not recall this memory at all. It impacted me enough to share it all those years ago, but it would be completely forgotten if social media had not brought it to my attention. It came up during a challenging week and reminded me that parenting is good work.

Although I don’t remember the incident I posted, I can tell you it was not the first or last time my son sat in time out. It was also not the first or last time we turned to scripture for direction.

My son is now a teen. He still displays an occasional attitude over obeying his parents, but discipline looks different. Scripture continues to direct him. He is kind, funny, smart, creative, and I am so proud of him. I take delight in the amazing man he is growing into.

Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul. Proverbs 29:17

It is a lot of work to intentionally teach and train our children. It’s important we do not ignore bad behavior or compromise on discipline. I don’t recall the correction my son needed all those years ago, but I see the fruit of my labor in the young man he has grown to be. Yes, parenting is good work.