Have you ever taken a hike with one of your children when they were young? If so, you probably dealt with whining, aches and pains, tripping, falling, and scraped knees (and probably in that order)! More than likely it took three times longer than if you had gone alone. But you finished and everyone survived.
Now fast-forward several months, and you are about to take another hike with the little (not-so) outdoorsman. You remember the struggle and determine to make this time a little better. What do you do to prepare? Well, you really have only two choices. You can go through the trail an hour before and get rid of all obstacles for your little one: throw all sticks and rocks off the trail, find alternate routes to avoid the steep parts, and eliminate all annoying insects by spraying several bottles worth of 100% DEET bug spray! You might as well take a hike on a treadmill! The other option is to simply prepare your child for the “adventure” ahead. While this takes some foresight and creativity, it obviously beats option one for you and for your child. It points his attitude in the right direction and sets him up for success; but best of all, it teaches him that struggle is not a bad thing.
Cary Schmidt says in his book, Passionate Parenting, “There are some struggles that our children need as they prepare for adulthood—and wise parents will allow the struggle to prepare the child.” Our children will struggle the rest of their lives, even when Dad and Mom are not so close by. Like a cocoon prepares the butterfly, a godly parent will prepare their children early in life.
So what is your child struggling with right now? Do you swoop in every time to rescue them? Do you feel it is your duty to separate them from all struggle? In doing so, we are preparing future adults to have soft hands in a rough world. Instead, determine to prepare them beforehand, guide them through the process, and teach them life lessons along the way. Determine to prepare your child, not their path.