Mistakes Moms of Boys Make...part 1

There are many mistakes we moms make. Daily. None of us are perfect! But some mistakes are because of a lack of knowledge or wisdom in a particular area so we make the same mistake over and over again-because we don't even know it's a mistake.

The number one mistake I think Christian moms make is:

Being more concerned with our son's happiness than his holiness.

This manifests itself in many ways but off the top of my head I see this play out in the following examples:

1. Allowing spiritual things in your family to be governed by their happiness. Do you choose your church based on their view of the Sunday School? Do you not read or teach them Bible stories because your son thinks they are boring when compared to other books?

2. Refusing to discipline

3. Being unable to say no to foolish requests (regarding food, bedtimes, movies, toys, etc)

4. Wanting to be a friend rather than a parent. Kids have enough friends but only ONE mom!

5. Teaching your child that they shouldn't have to follow rules. This is evident when your child is the only one at the playgroup allowed to have extra cookies or when they are the only boy on the team wearing a different shirt or when you lie to cover for them in school, etc.

6. Doing, giving or saying whatever is necessary to stop a tantrum.

7. Giving them material things without them ever earning it and not thinking through the consequences of NOT teaching your son a work ethic.

8. Finding fault with anyone who hurts their feelings without stopping to find out the circumstances. Why did the other boy scream at your son? Maybe he hit him! Why were the boys leaving him out at recess? Maybe he wouldn't stop bragging! Your angel might not be such an angel all the time and may deserve what he got!

9. Giving in when they beg and plead for you to change your mind, even though you know it’s not what’s best for them. Do you let them sleep in your bed even though you and/or your husband hate it? Give a 3rd dessert? Do you allow them to play at their friend’s house even though the parents don’t supervise?

10. Always concerning yourself with their happiness, no matter the strain on yourself OR someone else. Do you care if they aren't considerate? Do they need to hurry at the drinking fountain when there is a line or would you die before rushing your thirsty angel? Are you constantly making a separate meal for them because your picky eater can't eat the meal your family is eating?

We all know there are more. And you can probably think of a few...that your FRIEND does. Hahaha!
But…isn’t it LOVING to concern ourselves with our son’s happiness?!?!?! Yes, of course. But NOT to the exclusion of his holiness!

"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."Hebrews 12:4-12