Accept them

Parents have dreams for their kids. They envision athletic achievement, scholastic success, fame, money or whatever else grand they may want to place on the list. Sometimes parents have their child's life completely mapped out.

In the past few years there has been a barrage of reality shows exposing overzealous parents pushing and pressuring their children toward greatness. However, the parents usually blind themselves to the resistance coming from the kids. It too often seems that these children suffer from their parent's desire to make them something they’re not. Sadly, the kids trudge along knowing that the life their parents have created is the only acceptable one. The message ultimately comes through that who the kid is just isn’t good enough. And as you can probably imagine, growing up receiving this message can prompt an onslaught of psychological damage and feelings of worthlessness.

Loving parents accept their child period—no conditions, no requirements, no tryouts, etc. So what if a boy doesn’t have the athletic skills his father enjoyed. He’s not any less worthy of the father’s love and affection than if he had exceeded his father’s talent.

Parents who exert countless hours molding their children in their own image have failed to see the child’s true image and worth in God. But by seeing below the surface and accepting this truth parents can accept their children, creating an atmosphere where their relationship can flourish.