EMPOWERING PARENTS (specifically, fathers)

Thoughts inspired by Pastor Chip Ingram

Portrait of a Father

EMPOWERING PARENTS (specifically, fathers)
Romans 8:28-29
God uses ALL things to work together for the good of those who love him

To conform you/your child to the image of Jesus Christ

How?

A) Modeling (biblically-grounded): Be a man of god’s word, relationships, integrity

B) Take Initiative: All throughout the bible, it says, “FATHERS, bring up your child up in the word

C) Set and Give Direction: We are here, what’s the target? How are going to get there? What do they need spiritually, emotionally?
Set a strategic plan and evaluate

-Give the same commitment to your family as you do to your work
-Long term rewards are awesome
-There is nothing that will ever be as rewarding as having a child grow up and say ‘you have been the single most powerful influence in my life’
-Your kids don’t need you to be perfect, they just need you to be real, honest when you blow it, even to a 4-year old

Providing Words for the Pain

More on Grief…

Another thought – Identifying the emotions and words to match the pain is both powerful and healing. Having someone help you identify what the pain really is, or what emotions you might be feeling  – brings a sense of release as well.

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I was revisiting some old notes I took from my first traineeship a couple years ago, and found this:

The therapist goal is to (I was working with adolescents at this time, but I think it applies to anyone):

•    Help client develop capacity to reflect and think about oneself
•    Help client begin to notice things about oneself
•    Help client cope in healthy ways
•    Facilitate client in telling stories – talking about things also helps to remember
o    telling stories is so important in growing up and living life and growing old
•    understanding them, their language, their internal life and reality
•    neurotransmitters are released when we feel understood
•    expressing feelings acknowledges the feelings so they don’t take control over you otherwise it becomes an internal obstacle

Group Notes – on the importance of support groups:

•    people with breast cancer lived 2 years longer when they were in psychotherapy groups
•    (same as above): expressing feelings with others acknowledges the feelings so they don’t take control over you otherwise it becomes an internal obstacle
•    helper/therapy principle: mutual giving and receiving is a powerful form of therapy
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Empowering & Strengthening the Lives of Young People

Along with my passion for working with young adults, I have also found it one of my greatest joys and passions, and pains, working with young people… namely those in the ages between 9-16.  I suppose you can call them pre-teen or teen years.  The “pain” however, has nothing to do with them.  It has to do with their surroundings.  Their schools, their teachers, their education, their parents, their home life, everything AROUND them and everything they are subjected to, unfortunately.

I asked one of my teens what she wants to be sure she is when she grows up.  She said, “a mom who does not hit her kids and who can handle her own anger and and won’t take it out on the kids,”/  “I would speak words of life to my child, and not put her down,” and many more statements to that effect.

I asked another one of my teens what he wishes he could tell his teacher.  He said, “you have no control of the class.  you need to get better control of the class.”

What about another teacher?  He said, “you aren’t teaching me anything.”

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