How We Obtain Wisdom In Parenthood – by Tyler Jacobson

As part of the ongoing series, Wisdom for LIfe, I am honored to once again share my wisdom on parenthood with all of you. Speaking of, how does one obtain wisdom in parenthood?

The answers are quite personal and unique, as everyone gains strength, courage and insight from different resources and at different times. When we think about the origin of our wisdom, it’s a combination of the who, the what, the how and the when.

We often don’t realize we’re gaining wisdom at a particular parenting moment. We may be focused on a challenging time with our teen, not realizing we’re also soaking up vital information for the future.

Raising children certainly does take a village, and whether you were born with a village or discovered your village along the way, support is key.

Our Family

We only know what we know and usually that stems from our upbringing. The methods our parents used is what’s instilled in us. That said, times have certainly changed so what worked then may not work now. We still look to our parents for advice because we’ve always been taught that with age comes wisdom. Our parents have a vested interest in our lives and of course want their grandchildren to succeed and be happy. We know they care and only want the best for us all.

Our Friends

As much as we cherish our loved ones, it can be difficult to reach out to a family member in times of crisis. We may fear judgement and failure, and talking to a friend is simply an easier option that involves less pressure. Perfection doesn’t exist and there’s no perfect parent, but admitting that to a friend can be a lot less scary than to family. A confidant who may have older children and have been in our shoes, can provide guidance. Even a simple ear to listen to us or a shoulder to cry on is sometimes more powerful than an exchange of words.

The Bible

Many of the answers to our questions come from the history we built our beliefs on and exist all around us. When we ponder the concept of wisdom, what it means, and how it helps us thrive as parents, we can turn to James 1:5 (NIV) that states,

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

The bible views wisdom as “more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.”- Proverbs 3:15. If we don’t know how to handle a tough situation with our teens, we can turn to prayer to help guide us.

Within

Parenting is the hardest job in the world, yet the most rewarding. Not only do we get to love another human being and help them flourish, we get to educate ourselves in the process. Confidence can be hard to gain in parenting when we often feel like failures. What we don’t realize is that we’re doing the best we can and our children love us for it. The wisdom we receive with every age and stage is powerful and without realizing it, this wisdom lies within us.

With the increase of technology, social media, and the addictions that exist within our teenager’s world, it’s more important than ever to establish communication with them. We may not have the answers or the wisdom at a particular moment, but when armed with the resources to gain that wisdom, positive changes will occur. As our children grow, learn and mature, so do we as parents. One day, we may be asked to share the wisdom we obtained in our parenting journey.

Now go, and show yourself worthy of being God’s child.

© 2016 MANLY TRAINING

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Eduardo Quintana is also featured as an author on Lightworkers Media