Take Charge of Your Time Online, And Become A Better Parent

To read Part 1 of this series, please click here: Understanding Your Teenage Daughter (There is Hope!)

Since I started blogging about 9 months ago, I have gone to and fro between rejoicing and regret. This blog has delighted my heart in so many ways, and has served as an outlet for focusing on something totally different than my current wifely, motherly, and homely duties when I’ve needed some downtime.

However, I would be lying if I didn’t share with you that at times I have regretted starting Women Abiding. You see, not long after I began blogging, my almost 12 year old daughter, Aviel, got very excited about starting her own blog too . I viewed it as a good thing. She was spending her time developing her writing skills, using her imagination and creativity in forming blog posts, and growing in her graphic design abilities. And that was all well and good.

Other options that would have been wiser choices

But then I got to thinking… what if my new “hobby” had been studying the Word of God. I’m talking in-depth, exegetical Bible Study. Searching the Scriptures and mining out the jewels and truths hidden miles beneath the surface. How wonderfully exciting it would have been if then my own sweet daughter would have set aside the time, place, and energies in pursuit of the same spiritual goal.

Or what if my new “hobby” was to sit at the feet of my Lord for hours at a time, praying for the needs of those around me, interceding for the lost in our community, crying out for the holiness of my own heart and those of my family members. I can tell you with full certainty, that my precious, impressionable daughter would have been close to follow this pattern too.

How to parent using the Apostle Paul’s wisdom

One of my deepest desires in this life, my dear friend, is that I may confidently be able to say to my children, as did Paul, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9

Our eldest daughter, said something to me recently to this effect: “Mom, your calling for these few years of your life while your children are at home, is to pour your life into them. No other activity or effort matters as much as your investment into your children (after God and marriage) <–Click to Tweet You can blog later, you can go into business later, you can be Mother Teresa later. But now is the time to fully nurture us, your children, and to be the example to us that God would be pleased with. You will never regret it. I promise.”

Wow! Her words cut to my heart, and I knew she was right. I believe that deep down inside, Mamma, you know that your precious children are watching your life. They yearn to imitate you. To mirror what you do. To follow your lead and example.

Is your life worth imitating?

Do you need to take charge of your time online and become a better parent?

Blogging is not wrong, but I for one have purposed to keep it on a low-burner. My children need me to be a Godly, Scripture-following saint. I know it sounds far fetched and unattainable, but surely you and I can and should weigh our every move in light of what the Lord would be pleased with our children mimicking?

May your children learn, receive, hear and see in you truths and activities that God considers worthy of imitation. <–Click to Tweet May every endeavour you take upon yourself, be one that you would rejoice for your son and daughter to emulate.

And the God of peace will be with you.

What do you need to cut down on in your life, and start doing that would be a blessing for your children to imitate?