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Why I am so Grateful for the Differences in my Children

Are you parenting children with very different personalities? Sometimes this can feel overwhelming and challenging to us as we try to keep up and connect with them in unique ways. Today, we're taking one step forward toward seeing our children's differences as a gift, and not a burden. Ready to join us?One of the most painful and helpful lessons I continue to learn in parenting is how difficult it is to parent more than one child. No, I’m not talking about the amount of time children need (and deserve) and I’m not referring to the transition from man-to-man defense to zone defense when you go from two kids to three. Parenting is difficult whether you have one child or 20 of them.

What I am referring to is how tough it can be to parent children who are so different from one another.

  • One wants a big birthday party with all the boys and girls in his grade, while the other wants to spend his birthday alone with me, Kristen and his brothers.
  • One gets spankings when he disobeys, while the other only needs a tap on his wrist to bring him to tears.
  • One is black and white while the other loves gray.

Parenting and life would be so much easier if they all reacted the same way, received discipline the same way, and responded to the same tone of voice. We’d have it made in the shade.

The challenge became very apparent to me and Kristen when the Lord gave us twin boys. What amazes me is how different two children can be who were conceived at the exact same moment, entered into the world one minute apart and have the same body parts. One is sporty, the other one is musical. One loves reading, the other one would be OK if he never looked at a book again! One loves people, the other one recharges by spending time on his own. Their differences drive me crazy.

While parenting might be easier if they all responded the same way and needed the exact same forms of discipline, how boring would that be?

If our children were all the same, it would be like all of your friends being exactly the same. We’d miss out on fun, we’d miss out on growth opportunities, and we’d miss out on opportunities to creatively love and pursue our children.

As followers of Christ, we believe children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3 – Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.) We also know they are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27 – So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them). 

My challenge right now is to embrace the differences in my children who are a gift from the Lord with differences given to them by the Creator of the universe. I challenge and encourage you to do the same. How can you see the differences in your children as a blessing and a gift, rather than a curse and a burden?

1 Peter 3:7 says, “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way…. so that your prayers may not be hindered.” The principle for this verse is that the husband is to live with his wife in a way that shows that he understands her. If he doesn’t, his prayers will somehow be blocked. This truth has spurred me on to love my wife in a way that shows I understand her. I study her, I spend time with her and I pursue her in ways that show I care.

While Peter is not speaking about parenting in this passage, the message translates to parents: live with your children in an understanding way. Put their needs before your own. Seek to understand how they are wired in unique and different ways. Study them and spend time with them.

I’m trying to learn how to not just tolerate or accept the differences in my four boys, but rather appreciate, embrace and celebrate their differences. When I work to understand their differences, it allows me to connect with each of my children in a different, unique way.

My wife does this better than any parent I know. She takes on hobbies like shooting hoops in order to spend time with our boys. I love learning and watching my wife appreciate, embrace and celebrate the differences in our boys.

How about you? Do their differences drive you crazy? The obvious answer is, at times, yes. The better answer: Yes, but I am so grateful for the differences the Lord built in to each of my children. Their differences stretch me, entertain me and keep me dependent on the Lord. And that is exactly what every parent needs.

For the Family,

Scott, at www.scottkedersha.com

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2 Comments

  1. This was good very encouraging to know I’m not going crazy. I really love that you included the word of God. Have you written a book on this with all the adds wasn’t sure if it was a book or not.

    1. Thank you, Aretha! Yes, I have had the same thought, wondering why my kids (who I love) drive me so crazy. Definitely keeps me on my toes! No, not a book, but maybe someday.

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