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Does anyone else feel the weight of all the serious issues we have been dealing with as a society over the past couple years? I mean, yes, COVID, but so many other issues too. That’s why I thought we could all do with a pause this month in “Parent conversations.” Let’s take a moment to sit back and appreciate all that it means to be a Lutheran parent.
— Nicole Balza
We all know what it means to be a parent: to have a child. But what does it mean to be a Lutheran parent?
You might be a Lutheran parent if . . .
. . . you try to convince your kids to dress up as a monk with a hammer every Halloween.
. . . your children can sing the Doxology in four-part harmony.
. . . you tell your child to sit in time-out, and he responds, “No. Here I stand.”
. . . your Wi-Fi password is “10-31-1517.”
. . . you practice memory work on the drive to school every morning.
. . . you play “Name That Psalm” with your kids by humming a refrain from the hymnal.
. . . your house is a mess because you’re “saved by grace,” not by works.
. . . the words “Come, Lord Jesus” induce a Pavlovian response in your kids’ saliva glands.
. . . your child gives you 95 reasons you should buy him a new bike and tapes it to the front door.
. . . you have a Luther seal made of macaroni noodles hanging in your house.
. . . you taught your children “Luther, Luther, Tetzel” in place of “Duck, Duck, Goose.”
. . . your children know the first verse of “Silent Night” in German.
But on a more serious note, you might also be a Lutheran parent if . . .
. . . you rely on the forgiveness Jesus gives for the times you fail as a parent.
. . . you teach your kids to rely on Jesus’ grace and forgiveness too.
. . . you teach your kids the Word of God and how to distinguish between law and gospel.
. . . you rejoice that you and your kids are heaven-bound for Jesus’ sake.
. . . you pray for your children every day, not that God makes life easy for them but that they remain faithful.
. . . you remember that the Lord is always going to work things for good for your (his) believing children.
Thanks to all you parents out there for doing the tough, messy, rewarding job of raising kids to know the truth of God’s Word, to know their Savior and the forgiveness he gives, and to know how to live lives to his glory in thanks for all he’s done for us. Keep it up! By God’s grace, our children will have all of eternity to thank us for it! God bless you in your work!
Special thanks to Mike Thom, Robb Robbert, Carrie Schaefer, Julia Hatzung, Lynae Kinner, Ann Jahns, and Lois Festerling Tackebury for letting me include your ideas. Thanks to everyone who contributed!
Author: Rob Guenther
Volume 108, Number 10
Issue: October 2021
- Parent conversations: How can parents and kids manage stress?
- Parent conversations: What do your prayers for your children include?
- Parent conversations: How do we resist making our parenting law-based?
- Parent conversations: What Bible passages do you turn to most as a parent?
- Parent conversations: How can we help kids develop positive, healthy habits?
- Parent conversations: What tactics do you use to encourage children to tackle difficult tasks?
- Parent conversations: How can we model good listening skills for our kids?
- Parent conversations: How do we help our kids move on from mistakes?
- Parent conversations: How can we instill gratitude in our children?
- Parent conversations: How can parents find the balance between being too restrictive and too permissive?
- Parent conversations: How can we teach kids to be good friends?
- Parent conversations: What life skills will help young people as they transition to adulthood?
- Parent conversations: How do we discuss death with our children?
- Parent conversations: What does it look like for a father to be a strong Christian leader?
- Parent conversations: How can we help young adults stay engaged in the church?
- Parent conversations: What do parents need to know about video games?
- Parent conversations: How do parents not let worry get the best of them?
- Parent conversations: How do we teach our kids to value all people?
- Parent conversations: When parenting philosophies differ
- Parent conversations: How can we help today’s overwhelmed teens?
- Parent conversations: How can parents maintain a healthy marriage?
- Parent conversations: You might be a Lutheran parent if . . .
- Parent conversations: Parenting post–high school: What is a parent’s role?
- Parent conversations: How can families use the hymnal in their worship life at home?
- Parent conversations: What should Christian parents teach their children about gender?
- Parent conversations: What is vocation? How does it apply to parenting?
- Parent conversations: Why do siblings fight? How should I react when they are fighting?
- Parent conversations: How do we teach children resilience?
- Parent conversations: How do I approach vaccines as a Christian parent?
- Parent conversations: How can I explain the Sixth Commandment to a young child?
- Parent conversations: How can I help my child have an optimistic outlook?
- Parent conversations: What if we can’t follow our Christmas traditions this year?
- Parent conversations: What are ways to foster a rich prayer life in children?
- Parent conversations: How can I let the gospel shine as I parent?
- Parent conversations: How should I handle a child’s separation anxiety?
- Parent conversations: How should families prepare to go back to school?
- Parent conversations: How does a teen’s brain work?
- Parent conversations: How much should I monitor my child online?
- Parent conversations: How can parents reassure children during an uncertain time?
- Parent conversations: How can I stay calm when my child is out of control?
- Parent conversations: Should I give something up for Lent?
- Parent conversations: How can I keep my child engaged in attending church?
- Parent conversations: How can we help a stressed-out kid?
- Parent conversations: How can we nurture a proper view of “stuff”?
- Parent conversations: How involved should parents be in a child’s homework?
- Heart to heart: Parent conversations: Are we modeling kindness for our children?
- Heart to heart: Parent conversations: What’s the best parenting advice you’ve received or given?
- Heart to heart: Parent conversations: How should we handle it when people undermine our parenting decisions?
- Parent conversations: How can we prepare children for summer camp?
- Heart to heart: Parent conversations: What’s a parent’s role as a child dates?
- Heart to heart: Parent conversations: How do parents find contentment?
- Heart to heart: Parent conversations: How can we help a family with a sick parent?
- Heart to heart: Parent conversations: How can parents model healthy cell phone use?
- Parent conversations: How can we protect kids without scaring them?
- Parent conversations: What does your family’s bedtime routine look like?
- Parent conversations: What do I need to consider before I give my child a cell phone?
- Parent conversations: How can we teach gentleness and strength at the same time?
- Parent conversations: What should we do when our children grow silent?
- Parent conversations: What should we teach our children about the Reformation?
- Parent conversations: Do we want our children to be leaders or followers?
- Parent conversations: How does a parent’s role change over time?
- Parent conversations: How should I handle a disagreement with my child’s teacher?
- Parent conversations: What are the building blocks of a strong parent/child relationship?
- Parent conversations: What is our goal as parents?
- Parent conversations: What Christmas traditions do you cherish in your family?
- Parent conversations: How can we raise a generation that cherishes life?
- Parent conversations: What are the best Bible story books for family devotions?
- Parent conversations: Why should children obey their parents?
