Getting a Do-Over - I Would Have Had More Babies (Part Deux)

Getting a Do-Over - I Would Have Had More Babies (Part Deux)

I ASKED SARAH if she had any important insights she could offer about how she and her husband raised the two awesome kids they have. Here’s her advice:

Make sure, she said, that regardless of the number of children you have, you teach them to be helpful, patient, and nurturing. Our children have to be reminded daily that they are not the center of the universe—just an important part of it.

Make sure that you are teaching them independence. They must learn how to work, including how to cook and clean and how to manage their finances. Kids must learn how to succeed on their own without too much “help” from Mom and Dad.

Make sure that you invest in family night. Playing games, reading novels together, having daily devotions, or going to sporting or performance events are all very important to building a family unit and developing happy, healthy, self-sufficient, and caring adults.

Make sure that you provide for your children a calm, relaxed environment, even if it is only for a few days a week. Our house was generally hectic for many years, as all four of us had to be out the door by 7:30 a.m. with a reverse process at 5:00 or 6:00 around dinnertime. Everyone was stressed, including the kids!

Make sure that you keep your priorities clear. Career is important, but don’t let it take away from your most important job: raising your children. Despite what they say, kids are not as aware that they’re missing “things” or their own bedroom, as they are aware if you are not there with them. So live below your means as necessary to have the right work/family balance. There will be plenty of time to concentrate on building your career and making more money when the kids are grown. Time flies by, and before you know it, they are out of the nest.

Sarah told me how extremely blessed she is to have a wonderful husband, children, lifestyle, and career, and she thanks God for his many blessings. Be happy with your kids and your choices—your life is what it is. Looking back does not change that, but starting today, consider the big picture when you’re making important decisions.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!His faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1)

Of course, now that Sarah’s over fifty, she thinks it would be nice to have a few more kids come visit her and to have lots of grandchildren to look after her when she’s older. I told you she was intensely focused, and her two kids will be wishing they had more siblings, too, as this girl ages. I have no doubt this one will live to see one hundred!