How many children do you have? I have two children.
How old are your child(ren) OR how long have you been a mom? I have been a Mom for more than 18 years.
Are you a mom of girls, boys, or both? I have one of each, an Eagle Scout and a Ballerina.
How do I continue to rise in the power and strength of the Lord in this age?
On my knees…I continue to rise in the power and strength of the Lord only on my knees in prayer.
In 2 Chronicles 20, vast armies made war against the kingdom of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. King Jehoshaphat calls for fasting and prayer. In Chronicles 20:12 NIV, he prays, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” In verse 15, God responds through his servant by saying, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
When my son was in the seventh grade, he had some unexpected heart problems and needed immediate surgery. I had no idea what to pray or which words to use with God. I prayed, “God, I do not know what to do, but my eyes are upon you.” The battle for my son’s life was in God’s hands. The problem that I did not know was that the surgeon was on vacation, and the surgery could not wait. In the surgeon’s absence, the covering surgeon just happened to be the man who developed the exact surgical procedure that my son would need to live fully healed. God gave my son one of the best heart surgeons in the world because the battle belonged to God.
Oftentimes without knowing what to say or do, I have continually brought my children to Christ in prayer. God has answered faithfully the prayers that I have given him while on my knees.
How do you handle the strong-willed child?
The strong-willed child needs limits, choices, and empathy. When my kids were little, I would give them three tickets at the grocery store. When they misbehaved, they lost a ticket. If they made it home with tickets, then we did fun things or had a fun dessert. When my strong-willed child would ask what would happen if we got home without any tickets, I would reply in a monotone, non-threatening voice, “You do not want to know what will happen if you make it home without a ticket.” The strong-willed child will make it home without a ticket at least one time if not more times. You must be prepared to handle this situation with a fitting consequence.
When you deliver your consequence, use empathy. Empathy is your friend with a strong-willed child. I would say, “It’s a bummer that I have to give you a consequence” or “How sad that there has to be a consequence, but you chose to come home with no tickets.” This keeps you from having to fight with the strong-willed child.
The last thing to remember is to always give your strong-willed child the option to fix the relationship with you. After all, we have consequences for our actions, but Jesus gives us grace and mercy too.
How do you parent the passive or timid child?
Now that I am answering this question, you know that I have one of each: a strong-willed child and a passive child. I often told my passive young child, “Jesus is with you when Mommy is not.”
I gave my passive school-age child challenges before going to church. For example, this week, I would like for you to speak to at least two adults and another child your age during fellowship time. These challenges ended up being quite fun and built confidence with social interactions. If you try this, understand that a passive child does not have the skills to initiate conversation, you must teach them how to start a conversation.
The last thing about a passive child at any age is that you should ask them what they are thinking. A strong-willed child with show or tell you what they are thinking, but a passive child will not. The discipline with my passive child has not been to change behavior, but to change thinking so that it aligns with God’s Word.
Which scripture(s) gives you strength to keep going?
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…” ~ Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Dear Christian Mom, fix your eyes on Jesus, and he will strengthen you in faith!
Suzanne Bohman
Website: https://theshepherdssheep.com/
I am all the more grateful for the women (like Suzanne) who have chosen to join me on this journey of transparency and support – ESPECIALLY in addition to the life adjustments and loads we all experienced in the midst of the last year! I can’t thank you enough.
Connection and support are vital to our growth and survival as humans and as Women. I have met many Mothers (myself included at one point) who are going through the trenches and carrying loads solo. This has often led to depression, loneliness, isolation, and such guilt and shame in “not measuring up”.
My prayer is that the women who lay eyes on “Bold & Brave”, will be encouraged, emboldened, and all the more hopeful.
For the Moms,
Hannah
This series is for the Moms! In honor of Mothers, this May will be chock-full of real stories of Motherhood from Moms of all ages, in all stages. Join me as I feature different Moms (on a weekly basis) who will so graciously be sharing their life in words.
If you missed the previous feature, catch it here! Stay tuned for more stories of triumph, valleys, and faith.
The Marked Life Blog 
I have a strong-willed child that tests every bit of my patience. Thanks for the encouragement!
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I have two of them! It can definitely be a challenge. I appreciate Suzanne’s approach. Thank you for reading and your feedback. More to come!
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