The Power of Parenting

Whether you are happily married or raising children on your own, whether you are a father or mother or a grandparent who is filling in the gap, you must realize the tremendous power you have as one who "parents." You must also understand that the advice you give your children - whether good or bad - will be remembered.

Your power to influence your family's attitudes about the culture should be seen not as a burden but as an innate quality that is always active. You must never, ever forget that it is impossible to choose inaction on your part in the arena of influence. A decision to go with the cultural flow - a decision on your part not to fight the culture, to stay away from the conflict and take the easy route, to just lay low- does not negate the influence you have on your children but results in your influence being a negative one. A decision to not make a decision is still a decision. Inaction, in itself, is an action.

In other words, you are not a neutral force in your household; your action or perceived neutrality is a force that will shape your home and the personalities, choices, morals and values of your children for the rest of their lives.

Think back for a moment on your own childhood. What are the first memories you have of your parents? If your parents were abusive and selfish, you've probably spent most of your adult life trying to work through all the hurt and pain, trying to get beyond the misery and feelings of betrayal, so that you can give fully to your own children.

Or maybe you come from a family where you knew your parents loved you, but for some reason, they were distant or not active in your life. Maybe you didn't always feel protected from the outside world, maybe you suffered a few hard knocks because they were too busy or too distracted or maybe even too timid to get close to your world and the pressures that surrounded you. You may still be filled with feelings of immense sadness and loss because you were cheated out of the God-given right of every child: the right to have a parent who is intimately aware of the details or your life.

Or maybe you are one of the very fortunate, the most blessed. You came from a happy home filled with unconditional love. You had rules to follow and knew your boundaries. You had parents who were involved in your life, who taught by example, who were there for you, and who showed you there were right and wrong paths to be chosen in life and that each has irreversible consequences.

Now, ask yourself: which type of parent are you? Continued...