PARENTING: WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Parents of teens sometimes find it hard to know what decisions to make about their children. They know what they would like to have them do, but they aren't sure they should insist on it.         

Some parents conclude that they have the have the right to make the choices for their offspring as long as they are supporting them. Others are more inclined to recognize the freedom of the teens to make their own decisions. Although both sides have merit, we should not assume that "anything goes.”There are biblical principles to consider, proper attitudes to display, and character traits to live out.   To illustrate, I’ll tell what three sets of parents did about college choices for their teens.    Each case was handled differently, but none ended in disaster. I am convinced that this can be accounted for because these parents took the Scriptures seriously, .showed love for their children, and tried to be good role models. You won't find a definite answer to the question,” What should I do?" But you will have a chance to think about biblical principles that apply.

THE CRYING STOPPED

The sun was shining, the birds were singing and Andrea was crying. So what else is new? I thought as I fixed breakfast.

Suddenly Andrea's crying turned to screaming and I winced .What are they doing to the child? I wondered as I turned up the radio.Andrea was nearly 5 and a lovely little girl. Her sad eyes often peeked out at me as I passed the apartment she shared with her mother and a man, Tom.  Andrea seldom went outside, and when she did she wore long dresses or pants. They covered bruises; it was common knowledge.   

One morning as we left for church, my husband and I walked right past apartment 12A, pretending not to hear Andrea's  screams, but Cissy and Jason refused to play the game."  

"Why is she crying so load?" Cissy asked.

"Sound like they're beating her to death," Jason said.               

"That's their business, son, "Mike told him.       

"We don't meddle in family matters"