Being there for your kids - Getting by? Or Making it well.

Episode Date: June 1, 2019

As families, we all want to make it well. Unfortunately, many families just get by. In Scripture, Jesus calls us to "have life and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). I look at this encouragement as the difference between just surviving as a family, being functional, getting things done, as opposed to thriving as a family. When we thrive, we are joyful, cooperative, helpful, engaging, and we want to be together. Is that your family? There's a balance between learning independence, enjoying your alone time, and contributing to the family whole. Help your family move from surviving to thriving by being clear about rules and expectations, modelling the behavior you encourage, and establishing electronics-free times and places in your home. Instead of just getting by, you will find your family making it well.

Hi, I'm Dr. John Robinson, and this is Teachable Moments. I have a question for you, does your family have life abundantly? In the Bible, John 1010, Jesus says, I've come that you might have life and have it more abundantly. I see that verse both as an encouragement for our faith, but also as a challenge to live our lives as he would have us live. As parents, does your family simply live together, or are you encouraging the family to live? abundantly. It's dinner time. Mom ordered pizza, and it will be delivered in 20 minutes. Sally is watching YouTube on her computer in her room. Jake is gaming on his computer. Husband Al is grumbling over the TV news broadcaster's opinion about today's news. The doorbell chimes and mom retrieves

the pizza from the delivery person without leaving a tip. She yells, dinner's here. Her family paused their electronics, retrieve slices of pizza, and return to their activities to eat alone. scenario plays out in families across America every day. These folks are having life. The parents are meeting family needs. Nobody's fussing. Everybody's content, if not happy. According to the book of John 1010, this family is having life, and that is surviving. But Jesus calls us to have life abundantly. That is thriving. As parents in your family, are you meeting your children's functional needs only, or are you encouraging an abundant family life? It's denials. time. Mom's had an equally rough day and asks family members if they would mind having pizza for dinner.

The children and husband Al each stop their activities long enough to answer mom's question and to suggest toppings and extras. In 20 minutes, the doorbell chimes and the pizza is delivered. Mom asks Sally to set the table while mom calls Sally's brother and dad from their activities. Dad comes right away, but mom needs to playfully pry Jake away from his gaming. With the family gathered at the dinner table, an electronics free zone in the home, Al blesses the food and the family digs in amidst playful banter and inquiries about the day's activities. Most of us do functional very well. The challenge, however, is to live your life and to encourage your family to live life abundantly.

I'm Dr. Jonathan C. Robinson, licensed clinical psychologists and Christian author, and this has been Teachable Moments.