Good Parenting

From English Church Conference 2007 (Dr. John Coe)

Good parenting brings the kid out of hiding, brings the kid out of faking it (cover).

They believe they won't be loved in their badness. We need to love them when they are bad (like Christ does). You don't want them to think "Mommy loves me more when I'm good." or "I can't share this with Dady because he'll get angry."

Parents are okay to restrict and to say "Don't do it" but must also take them on a journey into their heart and explore the badness, so they'll say, "I don't want to cover/hide but I want to share it with Dad." We want them to feel that it was better to go to the depths with Dad than not at all. Psalm 139.

Example: "I noticed you were really angry with Dad." She poured out stuff for the next 5 minutes, angrily. It's cool she can share this with Dad. EXPLORE THEIR HEARTS (Lord search my heart). But you can't just ask them, "How are you feeling in your heart?" but must articulate it for them, then discipline (but not condemn). After the journey, then must lead the kid.