I love following parenting accounts on my social media.
There are so many people with wisdom and education and training that have helped me to become a better mom by teaching through social media!
It’s awesome.
I used to look up to a lot of these “parenting influencers” with the idea that I agreed with everything they said.
If they suggested this way to deal with a tantrum, then yup I’m all on board. If they suggested we try this new twist on a chore chart, then yup we are doing it.
There’s been one issue with parenting that I’ve been looking for some more support with recently, and so I looked to what many of these parenting experts were saying.
Their advice seemed to all be pretty much the same for how to deal with my situation. But I heard that still small voice whisper:
“This is not what your kid needs.”
And I felt peace.
The gift of discernment is more important on social media now than ever before.
Advice and ideas are everywhere.
Good advice and ideas even! Many of these parenting accounts have brought blessings into my life for how I interact with my children.
But I don’t just “follow” blindly.
I’ve learned that I can take each new idea to the Lord. He’s the best parenting expert out there and He can point me the right way.
Life coaches, health experts, news commentators, finance coaches, psychologists, and yes, even religious accounts (the irony is not lost on me!) are everywhere.
“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad”. (1 Kings 3:9)
Like Solomon, I’m learning I have to plead with God daily to be able to discern what is right and what is wrong.
For some things, I need to know what is right or wrong for my situation. (Like my parenting example! The Lord clearly told me it’s not what my kid needs, even though it works for others.)
But for other things, I’m having to literally decide whether it is truth OR truth twisted until it’s no longer pointing me toward God.
Understanding hearts, righteous judgments and discernments, we’ve gotta be asking for and claiming these privileges now more than ever!
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
4 Responses
This really resonates with me! Thank you for another insightful article
<3
I know that I am late to comment on this. I teach in Primary and have for years also have many children. Every single one of them is an individual to love and cherish with many being affected in like ways most of the time but we need to love them as individuals. In this way we can know what the best way they will learn. Love and care cannot come from a random “all children develop this way” guide. I am so grateful for the holy spirit to guide us to know what is right for each child as you spoke of with your child. Love and care for them is the key because the children know when you love them.
<3 Thanks for sharing!