The duties of parents are so vast that it is hard to even try to list them all. I just know that your role changes with many factors including the age of your child, which child you are interacting with, the nature of the issue at hand, etc. Parents fulfill a very different role for a 6 month old child than they do for a 6 year old child – or a 16 year old young adult! Changing your role is necessary because some issues need you to be forceful and direct while other times, it is entirely appropriate that you are soft, comforting, and reassuring. As you read this, I’d like you to consider how your role changes as you fulfill all that it means to be a parent. You may think, “WOW, I’m really confusing my kid because of how I have so many different roles in their life. Take comfort, you are not confusing them. You are meeting their needs to the best of your ability based on where they are at today. Their needs are very different and changing (and they’ll continue to be that way). Your children are very different. Each circumstance is very different. However, you need to be a constant for your children in the fact that you are here to love them no matter what. Your role will change, but your love never will. Make sure they know that, and make sure they know that it is the same way with Jesus. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
Family Discussion Points!
Parents - list all your roles (parent, spouse, employee, etc.)
Kids - list all your roles (student, teammate, friend, helper, etc.)
Talk about roles you used to play for your child (like diaper changer) that you don't have to do any longer.
Talk about some roles you think are coming in the future.
Discuss how roles will change, but your love for each other never will!!
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