We’re continuing our series based on an article, “Three Huge Mistakes We Make Leading Kids . . . And How to Correct Them” by Tim Elmore. The full article can been viewed here: https://growingleaders.com/blog/3-mistakes-we-make-leading-kids.
Elmore proposes a second mistake we can make as parents that make adulting harder for our kids:
We will rescue too quickly to save their status.
What he says here is that we try to take are of their problems for them. When we do this as parents, it removes the ability to navigate any hardship they may face.
Some of Elmore’s illustrations are unbelievable, including a college freshman calling her mom because of a C- on a project during class and the mom wanting to talk to the professor, or a college president receiving a call from a mother to make sure her son would be dressed for a cold day. But in light of the recent college scandal in which parents have paid to have their kids admitted to the college of their choice, Elmore is right on target.
Think about the story of the prodigal son for a moment. The youngest son, most likely around the age of 18, thought he was man enough to trudge out of his dad’s shadow and live life like he wanted. The dad let the son live his life. I’m sure the dad worried every day if he is okay. (Even when our kids go away from home, even if it’s across town, we ask them to text to make sure they are safe.)
Read through the story . . . the dad never went after the son to save him from whatever mire he was in. The father patiently waited until he saw the son come to him. THEN THE FATHER RAN TO HIM!! He hugged him and welcomed him!!
Just as our kids need to take a risk to experience the bumps and bruises of life, they also need to experience the hardship of life to help find the correct path. We can give them a map, but it’s really up to them to follow the path they are on.
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Jimbo's Jots 
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