Theme for October: Identity
Verse:
Mom’s Musing:
While sitting at a crowded high school football game I overheard a group of four kids making comments about the dance-line. It was half-time and the dancers were performing. The comments were highly negative. The four adults directly in front of the students were shuffling in their seats. Finally the older woman turned around, looked directly at the boy making the most offensive remarks and said,”That’s my granddaughter you are talking about.” She stated that fact gently and firmly. The kids were embarrassed and apologized.
I had to resist the urge to give Grandma a high-five. She handled the situation with grace, love, and truth. My instinct would have been to “Let ’em have it.” That wouldn’t have been effective. With her seven words she put a stop to the ugly comments, caused the kids to think about their ridiculing words, and she defended her granddaughter. Go Granny!
Parenting Tip: When defending family members speak up but be gentle and firm using few words.
© LoriWildenberg. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Lori Wildenberg is a licensed parent and family educator, parent coach, and co-founder of 1Corinthians13 Parenting.com. She has written 6 books including Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home; The Messy Life of Parenting: Powerful and Practical Ways to Strengthen Family Connections; and her most recent book, Messy Hope: Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety, Depression, or Suicidal Ideation. Contact Lori for your next event or for parent consulting or parent training courses. Lori can also be found mentoring over at the MOMS Together Group on Facebook.
