Joey and Carla Link
January 8, 2025
When our kids were growing up, I often wished they would give us their irritating behaviors and replace them with respectful obedience for our Christmas gift. When the new year came in and the same behaviors with it, I sighed deeply, knowing for those behaviors to leave, Joey and I had to be involved in making that happen.
I remember thinking, “Once we get back from vacation…” or “When the holidays are over…” we will get on their unacceptable behaviors again. And we do. For a couple weeks. Then the kids start to slide again and we slide along with them, and soon we are back to reminding and lecturing our no longer behaving kids.
Why do we repeat the same thing over and over again? We think we are ready for a new beginning; we certainly want one, but thinking and doing are two very separate things. If you don’t have a plan for putting ideas and knowledge into practice, then there is no way you can be consistent, and if you aren’t consistent in working with your kids, they won’t be consistent in how they respond to you either.
So, how do you know what to do to put an idea into practice? You want your kids’ behavior to change. That’s your thought, or idea. You don’t however, know how you are going to get them to, and that confuses you and makes you ineffective.
What can you do? We recommend you find mentors or coaches to help you. These don’t have to be people who promote themselves as such as much as people who are actually doing and living a biblical lifestyle.
Mentors/coaches should be able to do two things. They need to point you to where you can get biblical information on how to parent and also be able to show you how to put that information into practice. That’s what we try to do. When you take parenting classes from us we also follow up with you and you can connect with us to ask questions as they come up.
Are you ready for new beginnings in your parenting? Check out some of the resources we offer below!
Parenting Made Practical provides this blog plus other posts on Facebook and Instagram every week. We just recorded our 100th podcast! They are posted on your favorite podcast platform bi-weekly.
Other Resources available through Parenting Made Practical written by us:
The Mom’s Notes parenting sessions on topics such as “Focusing and Concentrating Skills for Children”, “Understanding Sibling Conflict”, “Ten Ways to Fight Fair with Your Spouse”, “It’s All About Attitude”, “Parenting as Partners” and 40 more!
“How Temperaments Impact You, Your Spouse & Your Kids” 4-week Zoom class
“Dating, Courting & Choosing a Mate, What Works?”
“Navigating the Rapids of Parenting” is about the phases and transitions every child will go through from birth-college years. Another word for “transition” is “change”. Learn how to be intentionally pro-active when these changes come instead of negatively reactive.
Our books, “Why Can’t I Get My Kids to Behave” and “Taming the Lecture Bug and Getting Your Kids to Think”
You can find out more information about all of the above by clicking on the title or at parentingmadepractical.com.
We teach one 18-week “Growing Kids God’s Way” parenting class a year, starting in August when school starts. If you want to take this class from us, please contact us now so you get your name on the list for the August 2025 class as it is already filling up. Send an email to info@parentingmadepractical.com and ask for information on the 2025 Growing Kids God’s Way zoom class.
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