Top 10 Things I've Unintentionally Taught My Children Lately...May God Forgive Me

10. God is not a major topic of family discourse.

9. When words don't work, use the same words in a higher volume.

8. The amount of love you show others is directly proportional to your mood that day.

7. Don't try things that are too dangerous.

6. Daddy's "yes" is not always yes, nor his "no," no.

5. Jesus is not a major topic of family discourse.

4. Follow the rules without question.

3. Those who follow the rules are "good." Those who don't are "bad."

2. Material possessions are really, really important.

1. People outside the immediate family are to be tolerated at arm's length, if not feared.

Be careful, moms and dads.

Grace and Peace,
Raffi

Comments

Sarah Mae said…
Wow, I sure "teach" these things as well! As a mom, who is with my kiddos all day, I have such a great responsibilty to teach and train and oh and I fall short! Thank you for this post!
July 14, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Mofast said…
Being a parent is an incredibly humbling thing. And it's not just the things that we finally recognize as passing on bad lessons, but what about the things that we do subconsciously that ingrain unhealthy habits... It is only by God's grace that good comes out of community, but it does.

Your list reminds me that I need to pray more.
July 14, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Anonymous said…
Raffi,

I am so thankful for the lesson that I have learned from your list ... that is that it's not what I say, but rather what I do that makes all the difference in parenting. This is the perfect lesson for me to learn now ... as a new dad ... heading into day #6 tomorrow!! Thank you for your honesty and your willingness to help your fellow brothers in Christ be better fathers and leaders in their homes by challenging all of us to think about the lessons our actions are teaching our children. I look forward to hearing about the release of your book.

Peace,

Steve
July 14, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Anonymous said…
Thanks for visiting and commenting!

I am afraid I have taught my children some of these things as well.
July 15, 2008 at 8:25 PM
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