I honestly thought raising children would be much easier than it actually is. There are days when I feel like I just don’t have the energy to be a parent. There are times – as I fold basket after basket of laundry – it seems I do have a busload of dirty-sock-producing, grass-staining kids. There are evenings when I push the kids so quickly through the brush teeth – potty – wash hands – jammies on – say prayers – lights out routine that I feel guilty about it. I routinely pray for God to make me a better parent.

So where do we turn for answers on parenting? According to a 2006 study (BMRB Omnibus Study, 2006), we turn first to family and friends and secondly to television. Another study, done in 2001, revealed that eighty-two percent of parents intentionally watch television shows that offer parenting advice; of that eighty-two percent, ninety-five percent find the advice to be helpful! Go Oprah!

Despite my best efforts, I could not find a single study that indicated parents consult the Bible for advice. 1 John 3:1 says:
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
God calls us his children. So who better for us to learn our parenting skills from than our Heavenly Father? The Bible is rich with direction and guidance for parents.