I try to say yes as much as I can. I think most parents are like that. Yet, at the same time, it is O.K. for a parent to say no.
Far too often I see haggard parents who are pushed beyond their limits. The stress is written all over their face. They are running on fumes. A few evenings at home would do wonders for their physical and mental health.
Sometimes I bite the bullet and ask. Why not take the night off? Why not stay home and rest? The answer usually comes in the form of a list. Johnny has to go to practice. Suzy has dance. Then, they want to . . . On and on it goes. I get tired just listening to it.
There is a solution to this problem. It is a beautiful, wonderful, one-word solution. No. No, we are not going there tonight. No, you can’t do that tonight. No, you can’t because we need some time to be present as a family.
It sounds easy, but I need to warn you. If you try this word, things might get messy. Sometimes the younger version of our species reacts strongly to the word no. Sometimes it inspires pouting. Sometimes crying. Other times it sends them running to their room.
But you should do it anyway.
God has given you parental authority. You are stewards of your child’s time, energy, and development. You are also a steward of how that child relates to godly authority. In this regard, your home is a training ground for how they relate to God, and God does not always give us our way. Why? He knows what is good for us. He knows there are times we need to be guarded from ourselves. Thus, there are times he tells us a good, solid, loving no.
Try it. Your child will be o.k., and you will too. In the end, you will all be better for it.
Comments