It is important to remember that when we are stressed as parents we will react in the way that is most familiar to us. (It is interesting that the word familiar almost is spelled like family) This can either be a good or bad thing depending on how you react. The best way to find out what parenting style you are or how you will react is to look at your beliefs and the way you define parenting. What is your purpose and/or motivation? If you don't like the ways you are familiar with you must be that much more aware of how you will be reacting.
The scriptures tell us to be slow to anger. “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Proverbs 16:32). When we are slow to anger we are aware of how we are feeling before we say anything. My mom always told us to think before we act.
I can also think of the example from the New Testament when the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery, to Christ. In a mob like frenzy and trying to find some way to accuse Christ, they asked Him what should be done to her. Jesus merely stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. Then the answer he gave them was something they were not expecting and one by one they left. He then showed mercy to the woman and told her to begin the process of repentance and sin no more.
I think how aware Christ is of his emotions and how much more slow to anger I need to be to live up to his example. He truly is the greatest example of being in control of his words, thoughts and actions. I think if we can respond to our children in these kinds of manners we will be that much more able to be a good influence in their lives and show our love and care for them as we answer them in soft tones and reasonable words.
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