When we follow this biblical command, motivated by love, it will help calm our worry over whether or not we expect too much from our children, or ourselves.
As I have embarked upon the journey of moving toward an empty nest, I don’t mind telling you that I have probably not had the smoothest of transitions. The wisdom I offer here is peppered with the air of skinned knees and bloodied noses as I fumbled around with the right way to become something other than mom. Here’s what I learned:
Failure to see and treat the grown child as an adult friend will ruin a relationship, sometimes beyond repair. While we aren’t to use our words to necessarily steer the adult child, we can use our words to steer the relationship between us.
No matter what questions you are being asked, never be afraid to tell a child that you do not know the answer, but you will investigate and get back with them. It is important to teach children that we are learning every day about God too.
In the heat of a crazy moment, we might say things without thinking that tear our kids down. We need to remember our words hold tremendous power over them.
