Making decisions as a parent

We had a situation come up this week that made me realize how hard it is as a parent sometimes. Don't get me wrong- I LOVE being a parent, I just don't take that responsibility lightly (as I'm sure most of you don't as well).

Here's what happened. We got an invitation to a birthday party. Come to find out, they were going to be watching a PG-13 movie there. We don't even let our boys watch PG-13 movies here at home. We decided that our son won't get to go (or he will go for part of it and then leave early). Seeing his tear-filled eyes and the disappointment he was feeling about being "left out" , I realized that it's hard to be different.

We could have let it slide, right? I mean, it's only 1 movie?

But 1 movie can lead to 2 movies and then so on. I realize that we can not shelter our kids forever. I also know that we can while they are living in our house. They can get exposed to those things when they are older! Plus knowing our kids as we do, I know that this movie would have affected him and stayed with him.We just try to use the best judgement possible.

Please note: we realize that we don't have it all figured out and probably never will :)

We had a great talk with our son last night about how we are called to be "different" from the world but not place judgement on them. I think he got it. There are so many places in life and parenting where there are gray areas. I guess we will just take them as they come.

What do you think about this? Do you let your kids watch just about anything? Or are you very aware of what they watch? What other "gray" areas are out there in the world of parenting? How do you handle it when situations arise and you have to make the tough calls?

I need some parenting help!

Gratefulness...how do you teach it? Do you model it? What about when you model it and your kids still seem to be ungrateful? Do you punish? Do you lecture?

We had the talk tonight about why we can't have it all. Yet, we have SO much! A friend of ours was blessed this past weekend with a gift. We talked about being happy for them instead of wanting what they had. Instead of wondering why we weren't "blessed" with this gift instead.

We have shown our kids people who are homeless. We have taken them with us to give out food. We have lived in Mexico for 2 months. We have modeled being frugal and thankful. We have done all we know to do and still, the ungratefulness comes out often.

Is it their age? (8 and 6). Is it our culture and society? Should we just keep doing what we are doing and pray that God will show them in time? I have heard that sometimes you might have to teach something 100 times before it is learned. I'm pretty sure we are getting close. HELP!!What are your thoughts on this?

Boom-chicka-boom!!

(far left: head lice check. Middle: the long line for check in. Far right: our place in line)


Hmm- OK, you guys know I have been having butterflies in my tummy since last week knowing that my baby (well, he's really not a baby, he's 8 but we will say "baby" for the story) was going away for camp for 5 days!!

I packed him up Saturday night and decided that if 600 other kids' parents are OK with it, then why shouldn't I be? I mean, as a mom, I tend to worry and think "Will he fit in?", "Will he be able to keep up with everyone?", "Will he like it or get homesick?","What if......"....you get the point.

Is it normal for us to think that way or is that being overprotective? I've decided that I trust my little man. I know he will enjoy it. I trust the Jesus in my little man to help him too! I just saw pics from the first day and there were 2 of Merrick and he looked like he was having a blast!

So- all this time spent worrying was for nothing! Guess I better get off of the computer and make sure my other baby (my now 6 year old) hasn't broken a bone in the street or been kidnapped!! (Wink)