NOTE: This is a reader response to the post, “Parenting Styles.”
I just read this comment from my friend, Lisa, at Tales of a Soccer Mom, and I had to share it with you all, because it touched my heart. Thanks, Lisa, I think you’re an awesome momma with some amazingly adorable kiddos!!!
Lisa says,
I could not agree more Leslie!! I’ve been thinking about that so much lately! I wish more moms would focus on learning child development in the toddler years, rather than parenting skills. I feel like the parenting skills would come more naturally to me had I read up on the development part! I too have read way too many parenting books, always looking for that quick solution to my parenting “issues.” I never found one. One afternoon I was just praying and asking God to show me how to really reach my girls and read their hearts, and I felt like he was saying to err on the side of love, always. I would never end up regretting being too loving on them, even when they were naughty. When their behavior apalls me, when their disobedience exhausts me, when their childish foolishness rears it’s ugly head, err on the side of love. Changing this way of thinking has rocked my parenting style. It doesn’t mean my kids get away with everything, as it may sound, but just changing my heart’s orientation with discipline has made things so different!
