We’d started wondering where we’d gone wrong in our parenting. Our previously well-mannered little boy had turned into a sarcastic, eye-rolling big kid.
He was 7 going on 14.
Perhaps our casual parenting style peppered with a healthy dose of sarcasm had backfired.
Then, in the course of a brief afternoon, two different people told me what a polite, respectful child my boy was when he was in their homes. I breathed a sigh of relief.
And then I got frustrated. Why don’t I get that same behavior at home?
I realized it’s because we’re safe. Knowing that he’s loved unconditionally, my son feels free to let his guard down at home. He doesn’t feel the need to behave perfectly to earn our approval. And while that doesn’t mean we don’t call him on his disrespect, it means that we don’t take it personally.
This realization made me realize how I’m free to do the same with my Heavenly Father. While He certainly deserves my respect and obedience, it’s not a condition of His love.
And I’m free to whine and cry and lean against him in despair whenever I need to.
Because He’s safe.
Read more from Kristina at www.allmomdoes.com
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