Exasperating children, how do we do this?

[Mom2Many]

I think we also need to be careful not to belittle or make fun of our children. Not to aggrevate to the point they are crying or yelling at us.

Esther- Thanks for posting that! It cleared up a lot of questions I was having educating my children

[patricia1]

Wow...I cannot believe that after a couple of days off the boards I come back to find this wonderful thread.

Last week I had very hard and hot words with two people who do not agree with they way I am bringing up and dealing with my daughter, Emily who is seven.

She is my only child, I always considered my child to be a person with the same feelings that i have.

Different she may be in other aspects of her needs ,wants , desires I am here to teach her how to grow into a well rounded person the best I can and with the Lords wisdom...probably falling short but no one is perfect.

I pick and choose my arguments with her. My ways of discipline is very different than those of yesteryear. I do not believe in hitting a child unless absolutely necessary. This has only happened once and it was to protect her from getting hurt with explanation so she knew what she did wrong.

I want the love she has for me and the love she has for Jesus to sustain her from doing wrong. Not fear, intimidation or the expectation of a beating.

Who gives the right to parents to hit thier children? Yet some parents do not know any other way it is , to me, like picking up fragile glass and throwing it to the floor. Shattering the spirit of a child who has no avenue of escape. It is like bullying.

My in-laws are german and emotionally illiterate, including my daughters father although he is learning but with that learning comes his own pain from his childhood and it is a rough road for him.

His temper is the pain he cries out in and my daughter has the same temper.

I deal in a special way with her and there is such improvement. She is able to explain how she feels instead of acting out.

Most of it is her own frustrations and the inability to have a relationship with her dad in the way she wishes. I, being the safe haven get the backlash and yet she is doing well.

As a christian as well as a human I want my daughter to want to be like me... as I am her example of Jesus and Mom to her.

I am laid back and she is not. Her tastes are different than mine. I respect her. I apologize when I am wrong and it goes both ways. She may want something different to eat than me and I oblige if I can.

I have taught her to make choices for herself early. She knows what looks good on her fashion wise than I do. I am the type that just throws things on. It is a wonderful life with her. I am enjoying her. If She is loved, wanterd, caredfor , fed the spiritual food, the food she needs to grow..I am good.

It is the most awesome job a woman and man can have and the rewards are eternal. I rather put all my investment in emilys little heart and soul banks than in a federal bank.

The wisdom in this thread is more precious than gold. Thank-you guys... I needed it more than you know.

Especially now that I am single.patricia1

[MeCajunboy]

Can you please share your thoughts on this verse and what exactly exasperating means and ways we are to avoid exasperating our children?

Ephesians 6:1-4 (New International Version)

Children and Parents

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother"

[terter]

Complete Jewish Bible "Eph 6:4 "... don't irritate your children and make them resentful; instead, raise them with the Lord's kind of discipline and guidance."