Families

Some parenting styles focus on rule following, loving children from a place of control when rules aren’t obeyed. The probable result? Resistance. The autonomy parenting style brings children to a place of being fed. Providing unconditional love as children are included in dialogues while parents demonstrate empathy and employ active listening skills, will teach children to make informed, uncoerced life decisions. Children will ask questions, think critically, and make wiser decisions. Jesus loves from a place of autonomy, not control. His result? Our wisdom to believe and follow in the One God sent, Jesus!

Parents juggle perceptual and abstract beliefs. “Don’t touch, it’s hot” are a parent’s words that a child actually sees and can believe—a perceptual belief.  As children mature, parents warn about abstract beliefs not yet experienced, but true for their wellbeing. “Addictions will make life harder” is an abstract belief about life to a 13-year-old! Your children move from perceptual facts about God to an abstract belief of Jesus by your showing them that Jesus is the answer to life. Your juggling focus truly matters!