If you missed the webinar on April 10, 3 Parenting Tools to Help You Parent in the Trenches of COVID-19, here’s the replay for you: webinar.
Yes, we are living in a crisis resulting in a quarantine. No, nothing is normal. But even in the midst of the unusual circumstances we find ourselves in, one thing has NOT changed: your family needs to know and feel that you love them.
So today, as you stay at home and live through another day of quarantine, here are some ways that you can love your family:
LOVE IS being willing to let your kids interrupt your regularly scheduled life because they need you…and doing it without getting impatient or angry.
LOVE IS making a choice to not criticize and judge your kids or spouse, but instead look for ways to encourage and praise.
LOVE IS deciding every morning to not be a picky parent who gets easily offended at the smallest thing your child or spouse does.
LOVE IS being gently truthful and humble instead of defensive when there is a misunderstanding with your child or spouse.
LOVE IS relinquishing the need to always be right or to always win in a conflict.
LOVE IS not always looking for someone else to blame.
LOVE IS being willing to apologize when you’re wrong.
LOVE IS choosing actions of love each day that are selfless, mature, and patient.
LOVE IS not returning wrong when you’ve been wronged, or “getting even” or “paying back” or “punishing” someone. It means looking for ways to respond with good, not bad.
LOVE IS seeking to understand how a family member feels, so that you can support and encourage them.
LOVE IS taking the time to have intentional conversations to work on family relationships, persisting until the problem is resolved.
LOVE IS being willing to ask for forgiveness and then giving it when it is requested, not holding a grudge.
LOVE IS being a person of your word, even when it’s inconvenient.
LOVE IS staying calm in conflict, focusing on the problem and not attacking the person.
LOVE IS not manipulating others to get your way.
LOVE IS not making your children or spouse responsible for your identity, meaning in life, and thus your total happiness.
LOVE IS being okay with less “me” time, less sleep, and less energy so that you can love your family in a way that they need.
LOVE IS treating your kids and spouse with respect and giving grace, even when it’s not requested.
LOVE IS sacrificing for your loved ones without expecting anything in return and without playing the martyr.
I am convinced that nothing will test your love and patience more than this time of being with family 24/7. Even the best of marriages and most unified of families are going to be challenged. You are going to push each other’s buttons and drive each other crazy.
But you still have a choice of how you are going to respond and how well you are going to love.
If you’d like help figuring out what you need to work on your love your family, I’m offering free coaching until April 30. Please schedule a call here
Based on wisdom by author Paul David Tripp.