Most parents go through periods in their lives when they have problems with their teenagers, even if they are good kids. When I went through those times with my children, I wish I would have handled it differently~
I wish I would have never argued with them.
I wish I just stated my case simply and when they didn't follow through, there would be consequences which were clearly stated.
If they completely disagreed with my stated case, I wish we would have just been able to sit down and reason together without getting angry.
I wish I continued to smile at them and be joyful with them, even when they were difficult.
I wish I gave them big hugs often, you know, just kept heaping burning coals upon their heads by loving them through my actions.
These are the things I wish I did differently. I think there would have been a lot less stress and I would have drawn them towards me, instead of away from me. I think God's principles would have even worked with teenagers...Imagine that!
