Slavic Christian children thriving

Dear Slavic Christian parents, your children's behavior is greatly influenced by your behavior and that of your home environment. If you're self-regulated, resilient during challenges, intellectually curious, emotionally intelligent, forgiving, respectful, and hardworking, your kids will likely be the same. 

If you give up easily, are prone to anger, chaos, lack of motivation, bitterness, unforgiveness, or insecurity, your kids are likely to exhibit the same traits. 

My son’s behavior makes me realize just how much I need to be aware of my own.

His behavior makes me realize how much he observes my husband and me interacting, and how quickly his sponge-like brain absorbs the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I try to work on my thoughts, feelings, and actions daily to ensure that I’m walking the walk and talking the talk, shining the love of Jesus. I make mistakes daily, and also try to apologize and uproot the traits to replace the bad with good instead. 

On the other hand, I’ve worked with and interacted with many parents who aren’t as aware. They don’t think their children see the abusive or dysfunctional tendencies taking place in and between them.

They don’t think their children pick up on their addictions and/or bad habits.

Sadly, if these behaviors go uncorrected by the role models, the children will imitate and engage in the same patterns when they grow up.

They will let their spouse abuse them.

They will become addicts.

They will become yelling abusers.

They won’t work but will sit on welfare. 

They will have a victim mentality. 

Children aren’t as dumb as we’ve been told they are.

They’re not blind.

They can inspire us to be better if we choose to set them up for success in their present and future.

I’ve seen the families who bless their children.

Who celebrate and encourage them.

They are adaptable and resilient.

They are courageous and driven to step out of their comfort zone to discover what a fantastic life awaits them beyond the four walls of their home. 

Those who work hard, both in and out of the house, show their children how to do the same in their everyday tasks.

The outcome is tremendous: young entrepreneurs who think big. Children who are kind and respectful to others. Those who face challenges instead of running away from them. Those who forgive quickly and love deeply.

This is the difference between healthy and unhealthy parenting and leaving a heaven-honoring example.

Dear one, which patterns are you engaging in today, and what impact will they have on you and your children’s future?

It’s never too late to change. All you need is desire and the resources to know and do better. 

Do you have both?

If you do, please continue on the journey of breaking generational cycles. If you don’t and want those skills, please reach out to me, and I’ll teach you everything the Lord and graduate school taught me about having healthy relationships within the home. Your children depend on you to be healthy so they can be the same for their own families in the future.