Your child is not a problem to be solved, but a person to be known.

 

Summary

If you've ever thought, "How can one small human make this much noise… about EVERYTHING?"—this episode is for you.  We're diving into the all-too-familiar world of complaining kids—the sighs, the groans, the "Do I have to?"—and how it can slowly drain the joy right out of your home. But instead of just surviving it (or losing your sanity), in this episode we will look at understanding WHY kids complain and give you some practical tools to respond in charity.  With humor, honesty, and a little help from the Israelites in the desert (yes, really), we'll explore what's really going on beneath the complaints—and how God might be inviting us to grow, too.  Because your child isn't a problem to fix—they're a person to love.  Come laugh, be encouraged, and get a fresh perspective.

 

Key Takeaways

• All complaining is like sin - it is ordered towards something good but taking the wrong path

• Remember the phrase "I won't allow your bad mood to ruin my day"

• Make sure you take the time to fill your kids up with your love and delight.  They are not a problem to be solved, they are a person to be known

• No matter why kids are complaining, you need to teach them the right way to respond and dialogue with you. 

• Give opportunities to model and practice an attitude of gratitude with your family. 

 

Couple Discussion Questions

• What is our plan when our children start to complain? 

• What in our hearts is triggered by complaining children? 

 

Resources

https://ifstudies.org/blog/hard-parenting-better-relationships-new-evidence

https://ifstudies.org/blog/yes-virginia-you-do-have-to-hug-grandma-this-christmas