If you missed the conference, you missed a lot. I saw people all around me taking lots of notes and I could easily understand why.
Mrs Nkoyo Rapu, Mrs Chiadi Ndu and Mr Stephen Omojuyigbe all nailed it. My mind was blown and I had so many “Aha” moments.
Been finding it hard to summarise what they said. I honestly believe I can’t do justice to what I heard. Here are a few nuggets.
- Let’s stop blaming the children and begin to take responsibility for the current situation and issues.
- Raising children is a partnership between parents and God (Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain – Psalm 127:1). So before you make any decision concerning your children, seek God’s guidance.
- Today’s children have a leanness of soul. What feeds our soul are relationships. As parents we have not invested enough time to interact and build relationships with them. Remember that your greatest legacy is not your job, your company, your assets BUT your children. Your legacy is to see that your children excel beyond you.
- What today’s millennium child really needs is secure attachment/bond with their parents. This comes from how much time we invest in truly interacting with them. Can your child tell you their fears? Do you really listen to them?
- Pain is pain. Never trivialize their pain and feelings. (Each heart knows its own bitterness – Proverbs 14:10a). You might not understand why they feel that way but never brush it aside.
- Each child is different and never compare them to anyone else. Always let them know its ok to be you but be the very best you that you can be.
- Our children copy and imitate us. And in truth they are a reflection of us (flaws and all).
- Our responsibilities as parents is to understand the “WHY” for their behavior. Most behaviours are learnt (usually learnt from their parents). Our thoughts determine our emotions and emotions drive our behavior. So thoughts are very important. What feeds their thoughts? (As a man thinketh …- Proverbs 23:7)
- Parenting is hard because we are all flawed. Before you can parent well, you might need to first find healing for own childhood pains, experiences and brokenness. Marriage and parenting exposes our brokenness and personal struggles.
- To pursue your own personal healing as a parent, start with the symptoms (workaholic, compulsive behaviours, anger, lack of joy, etc) Be honest about your story to yourself, God and someone else you trust. Forgive those who hurt you that you might experience healing of your heart.
Pastor Ikenna Okeke rounded it off by assuring us that though it might seem hard and impossible (this 21st century parenting journey), however we should be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might (Ephesians 6:10). We are overcomers and Jesus has won the victory. Have faith and raise a spiritual cover for your children.
Were you at the conference? If you were do share your thoughts and what you took away from the conference.
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