3 Ways To Love A Growing Tween
I am not exactly sure when it happened, but one day I woke up and realized that my oldest daughter and I were now standing eye to eye. I will admit that I realized it was bound to happen soon, being that I only stand right at five feet tall!
This new vantage point feels strange. However, it is just the evidence of what I already knew to be true.
She is growing.
With each new inch, I am reminded that growing involves adjustments, has it’s challenges and requires copious amounts of compassion.
She’s becoming taller, wiser and more mature. I love observing her, as her heart expands and wraps itself around the lives that surround her. She loves so well.
I get such pleasure from listening to her voice as it gains confidence. She’s seeking her Creator and becoming bold in His truth.
I love seeing her strength, watching her beauty and witnessing her development.
But can I be honest?
Parenting a growing tween involves a level of emotional and mental work that I am not always prepared to expend.
With my sweet girl—some weeks—some days are hard.
She’s growing and so am I.
She is 11, and with that come a load of unexplainable emotional waves—highs and lows. Lots of laughs, intriguing conversations, tender moments and mood swings.
I am 35, and with that comes a load of unexplainable emotional waves—highs and lows, lots of laughs, intriguing conversations, tender moments and mood swings.
If I am not careful I find myself impatiently correcting her tone, abruptly disciplining her actions, and intolerantly hushing her words.
It becomes easy to miss the beauty that is actually happening.
After all, having a front row seat to what God is doing in her life is a gift.
I don’t want to miss it.
She needs correction, she needs encouragement and she needs grace.
Recently I have been reminded that so do I.
She is not alone.
I am grateful for a Father that looks me in the eye, calls my name personally and graciously holds my hand as He pulls me deeper into His love.
I am convinced that one of the most impactful things I can do while mothering my growing girl is to model what it looks like to be a growing woman.
When she looks me in the eye, I want her to see the love of Christ. When our weeks are hard and our days are long, I want her to feel the tug of His hand on her heart.
In the midst of changes and in the midst of challenges, I want to love her like He loves me.
These 3 Scriptures remind me of how Christ shows His love for us and how He expects me to show His love to her.
1. Offer Encouragement
God gives a hand to those down on their luck,
gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.
Psalm 145:14 (MSG)
2. Discipline in Love
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
a father’s delight is behind all this.
Proverbs 3:12 (MSG)
3. Offer a chance for change.
On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.
1 John 1:9 (MSG)
Parenting is a journey that ultimately leads us closer to the Father.
Journeying Together,
Wynter Pitts, For Girls Like You
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