One of the great scenes in The Sound of Music is when the submarine-captain father is calling his children down to meet Maria for the first time. He blows his whistle and they assemble on the second floor, march down the stairs in formation, and shout their names when they hear their respective whistle code. It’s funny because it is so ridiculous. No one today would treat their kids the way they command the crew of a military submarine.
Parenting is difficult and confusing, and it requires things from us we are often not prepared to give. Because of this high level of difficulty we tend to fall back on practices that work for us in other areas of our life, like work, sports, etc. I have heard many men tell me that their father never interacted with the family. He just focused hard at work and operated at home the way he did at work. The coach at school wants to get home and run drills with his kids after dinner. The pastor feels the need to organize formal family altar times.
But I would suggest . . . don’t always go with your strength. Change tactics when you get home. You are not supposed to be your super-competent self at home. Your job is to be a loving, guiding parent, figuring out what each kid needs. And that changes all the time!
You will be off balance at times, and you will mess up. But when we are working with God, our weakness is actually an attribute. We do not have to be the best all the time. Being a good, loving parent who adjusts and enjoys the journey is a gift you give your kids.
“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10b
Dave Carl
Creator, Paws & Tales