CONFIDENT EXPECTATION
Setting limits and dealing with the inevitable resistance from the children to some of the limits is a real test of the marriage. There is either cooperation or competition over setting the limits and how to supervise them. The term confident expectation assumes that you are doing or requiring something you believe is worthwhile and in the best interests of your child. If you are, you will have enough conviction to see it through.
If parents are competitors rather than partners, they will likely have two sets of limits—one set when mother is home alone, another set when father is home alone.
The result? Bedlam. Or withdrawal of one of the parents from the discipline process.
The children will begin to play one parent against the other. One parent can hardly be confidently expectant when defying or contradicting the other parent.
You will either enjoy the job or it will irritate you. You either cooperate with your partner or you compete. You either diligently rise to the demands of the job, or you neglect it.
IT ALL WORKS TOGETHER
You build your own self-respect or self-love as you cooperate with your partner in setting limits and administering them…as you remain loyal, cooperative, submissive, and committed unto death to do all in your power to guide your children into becoming wholesome, happy, contributing adults.
Again…the key to maintaining such a spirit demands a higher commitment:
As unto the Lord!
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Review Questions:
1. If your marriage partner is more intimately involved in your life than anyone else, your ____________ run a close second.
2. Guiding children requires that parents set ______________. This also requires an attitude of ___________________ between you and your spouse.
3. What is half the battle in parenthood?
4. What is the result when parents don’t cooperate in setting limits and have two sets of rules for the children?
5. It is important that you remain loyal, cooperative, submissive, and committed unto death to do all in your power to guide your children into becoming wholesome, happy, contributing adults. What is the key to maintaining this spirit?
NOTE: The material in this lesson is adapted from the book, I Want to Enjoy My Children (Zondervan), by the same authors.
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I Want Happiness Now Lesson 11
Continue on to Conclusion.