Parenting by the Book

1. Parenting by the Book Chapter 7: Farsighted Parenting

2. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Prov 22:6 • Parents should aim their child rearing at a target that lies some distance off in the future Farsighted Parenting

3. The Target to Aim at: an adult of right character, morals, and ethics who loves God. That adult is a responsible and a compassionate citizen, a devoted spouse, and a parent who “passes it on” to their children Farsighted Parenting

4. The goal parenting is a Christ-formed character in the child not worldly accomplishments • Homework, social activities, and developmental issues should be used as opportunities for developing the final goal. Farsighted Parenting

5. He uses examples of parents being too stressed because they are too nearsighted on the daily problems and activities • This causes loss of focus on what’s most important Farsighted Parenting

6. McParenting- deals with parenting issues by satisfying an immediate need or reaching some short-range goal • Like fast food, it satisfies the immediate craving but is bad in the long run Farsighted Parenting

7. Examples- doing or over-helping with you child’s homework (Amy’s help, Eric’s struggle) • The overwhelming amount of activities that children are involved in and that the parents are doing causes a loss in long-term vision Farsighted Parenting

8. The lifestyle of busyness comes with tiredness, twisted values, and nearsightedness • Does busy schedule filled with developing you kids skills and activities ultimately teach a child in the way he should go? Farsighted Parenting

9. Amy’s story (pg 163) • Our two options to every situation: • Long-term • Short-term Farsighted Parenting

10. Our goal: • Is to raise an “adult of right character, morals, and ethics who loves God. That adult is a responsible and a compassionate citizen, a devoted spouse, and a parent who ‘passes it on’ to their children” Drew’s Response

11. My problem with “Grandma”: • I would add the idea that we are first and foremost responsible for raising up disciples of Jesus, not of “grandma” • “Grandma” to Rosemond represents child rearing in pre-60’s America which he thinks was based on Biblical principles Drew’s Response

12. My problem with “Grandma”: • You cannot equate this American “grandma” with the Kingdom of God. “Grandma” was a sinful human who got many things wrong • Let’s make sure our vision for our children is based more on raising good citizens for the Kingdom of God than just good American citizens. Drew’s Response

13. My problem with “Grandma”: • His argument sounds like God is an ingredient to good parenting instead of the foundation • We need to raise children that would please God, not that would make “grandma” proud, for they are not one in the same. Drew’s Response

14. My problem with “Grandma”: • “Grandma” lived in a much different world than we live in today (peers, teachers, coworkers do not share values) • We need to be “involved” with our children in a post-Christian society where they are daily being taught contrary beliefs to the truth. Drew’s Response

15. Rosemond does not tell us how we form our child’s character? • Prayer- “Family that prays together stays together” • Family Worship • Serving others together • Faith Talks • Topical issues • God moments • Church Drew’s Response