Ep 13: Connecting With Teens; See the Good. Part 1: Relationship
Why as a parent are the teenage years so scary? Maybe it doesn’t need to be! In part one of our three part series we unpack why the teenage years can be a joy-filled time, and why building and maintaining relationship with our teens is so important. We share our experiences as moms who have raised six teens between us (and counting!). This episode will take the fear out of these years and give you hope, strategies and tools to parent with love and compassion.
In This Episode We Discuss:
Why maintaining relationship with our kids during the teen years is important.
The spiritual significance of becoming a teen.
How to build and maintain relationship.
Why knowing our teens love language can help with building relationship.
What collecting your teenager means.
Mentioned in this episode:
The 5 Love Languages for Teens
Grace Based Parenting
The Self-Driven Child
Frederick by Leo Lionni
Psalm 76:10
Psalm 139
DECLARATIONS
God, I LOVE my kids. I actively lay down any and all baggage that I’ve been carrying around about or for them. I reject and banish utterly any fear, shame, control, embarrassment, anxiety or worry of/about or over them in Jesus’ Name.
You are a perfect parent, friend, Saviour and Rabbi for each one of my kids. You are THEIRS. I relinquish my attempt to control their relationship with You and move out of Your way. I accept YOUR wisdom and discernment, and the ability of Jesus to comfort, exhort and edify them from a calm, peaceful, flexible and panic free place, secure in my own relationship with You.
Jesus, I choose YOUR vision, voice, hands, foresight, thoughts and reactions for my kids. You see them perfectly clearly and with such outrageous, total and passionate love and celebration. You laugh with them, cry with them, understand every nuance of feeling or big outburst of frustration. Give me YOUR mind for these kids.
Thank You for placing these people in my care. I declare that I am ready, willing and able to steward their hearts in a trustworthy, calm and kind way. I WILL enjoy and have fun with them every day, I WILL come alongside them in their feelings/reactions/concerns or triumphs in whatever ways they need, moment by moment, the way You do.
Everything I need in order to model the love of the Father and the friendship of Jesus is in me-You put it there with intention, knowing what my kids and I would need. I refuse to be rocked by teenage freak outs with regards to their futures and purposes. I receive the wisdom and Peace of Jesus for them and wholeheartedly embrace my noble role as conduit of the Holy Spirit’s energy, HOPE, zeal and excitement about their minutes, days and lives!
I am open and aware. I choose to see the good AND to speak clearly to anything that’s trying to hurt my kids. I will allow my kids to feel, try, fail, create, express and enjoy themselves as the intricately complex and interesting people they were handcrafted to be. No more cookie cutter Christian kids! I will be loyal, brave, forthright and kind. I am not ashamed, overwhelmed or fearful of or for them.
I am FULL of Your Joy for these precious people. I see with clarity and passion. I carry the promises, the hope, the plans and purposes and the beauty you pour out daily for them in my heart. Thank You for faithfully choreographing their pasts, presents and futures. Thank You that everything the enemy may try to use to kill, rob, ruin or wreck is turned into golden triumph and kingdom authority by the Lover of their souls.