Parenting Your Kid’s friends
I am the mom of seven kids, and the oldest is 21. Through the years I have had the awesome privilege to parent (in a sense) some of my kids friends.
One aspect of parenting their friends that is difficult, is that I am not the parent, so I only have what authority I am given- and they are free to take my advice or leave it.
One aspect that is not so hard, is that sometimes kids are quicker to take advice or encouragement from someone other than their parents.
When your kids have friends who practically grow up in your house, you do have a responsibility to those kids to be a good example to them- especially if you know they don’t have one in their own home.
There are a couple of kids who have become like my own over the years, so much so that I am refered to as their “other mom”.
These kids call me mom, come and visit me, and respect what Dan and I say to them- just like our own kids do.
They have asked our advice in many areas, and have asked for prayer for parents or siblings at one time or another.
Some have called in the middle of the night to ask for help in a troubling situation.
I am blessed to be parenting more than my own kids, and when people ask me how many kids I have, I almost feel guilty not counting them.
I believe that as a parent, whether to my kids or someone else’s- I am responsible to pray, listen, guide, and pray some more.
When your kids bring friends home, look at them as an extension of your own family. That will open up doors that will bless you and them.
parenting, being an example, parenting kids friends, communicating with kids, praying for kids
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