Accountability

I just watched the guilty verdict being read to the two America West pilots. My heart was broken for the hurt they must feel and the hurt they have caused their families.

I just thought how important it is for we, as parents, to teach our children what is sin and make them accountable for their actions. I am afraid that I was not so good at consistent discipline.

I always wanted to believe the best about my children and even though I knew better, tried to justify their actions. I never thought I would have been that way but after being childless for 12 years it was hard to keep from feeling that these children were very special.

If I could go back, I think I would identify the weaknesses in my children, make sure that I made an issue of the sin, showing them when they were in the wrong, administering punishment suitable to the crime and assuring them of forgiveness and love. In so doing, I think it would have made a big difference in their learning to overcome their weaknesses.

I am afraid that when a parent looks the other way, which is something I did a lot for the youngest, you allow that child to get by with wrongdoing and he does not realize the consequences. The truth is that we never get by with anything. " ...whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

I wish I had been more discerning and not quite so emotional with my love. It is easy to fall into the habit of doing everything for the child and wanting them to "love" you. That is really very selfish.

I erroneously thought that "love" would automatically bring "respect". That is not necessarily so. Respect MUST be taught. We all deal with a sin nature that fights against giving control to anyone else. Recognizing this would have helped me in parenting.