PARENTING March 29, 2010 Issue

MY ULTIMATE PARENTING PRIMER

Rick Lipsey

IT SEEMS AS THOUGH no matter what a parent does, some problems with kids are unavoidable. I'm not a parenting expert, but my wife and I have found that we don't have to succumb to commonly accepted beliefs that sometimes cause distress. Instead, it's possible to stand your ground and stop anticipating problems. For me, the most effective way to do this has been through prayer.

I often ask myself: Am I identifying myself and our kids as physical beings, or as spiritual offspring of an all-loving God? As spiritual ideas, or as having matter-based ancestry in an uncertain physical world?

My experience as a parent has certainly not been problemfree. But prayerfully embracing a spiritual view of life, and taking prudent footsteps, have been an immeasurable help. Here are three examples.