Lawnmower Parenting
Lawnmower parents go to whatever lengths necessary to prevent their child from having to face adversity, struggle, or failure.
Lawnmower parents are repeatedly demonstrating to the child that she cannot be trusted to accomplish things on her own.
Christian lawnmower parents might even ask: if I could find a church which gives my child a better experience, why wouldn't I do that?
In raising children who have experienced minimal struggle, we are not creating a happier generation of kids.
Take Up Your Own Cross (Luke 14:25)
Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
While the lawnmower parents will try to do whatever to mow down all the obstacles to make things easier for their kids, Jesus demand His disciples to take up his own cross.
In the context of following Jesus, no parent can take up the cross on behalf of their kids.
Jesus still demands every Christ-follower to follow Him in person.
Narrow is the Way (Matthew 7:13-14)
While the lawnmower parents always tend to pave the way and make the gate wider for their kid, Jesus never make things easier for us to follow Him.
No parent can pave the way for the salvation of their kid. Every kid needs to walk their own path.
Request from a Lawnmower Mom (Matthew 20:20-28)
The mother of James and John went the extra mile to get the best for her two sons.
She requested that her two sons would be awarded the highest places of honor, when Jesus became the new king.
Jesus pointed out that discipleship is not about climbing up the corporate ladder, but to become a servant.
You can only prepare the child for the path,
not the path for the child.
Reflection #1: Raising Kids in light of God’s Glory
Who is the real centre of your family? No matter how much we love our kids, they are not the boss.
While we can keep telling our kids that they are important, are reminding them that only Jesus deserves the highest honours in our family?
Reflection #2: Raising Kids to Do Hard Things
Stop raising our kids to become a VIP at home, but shape them to grow with a servant heart, who knows about the true meaning of caring and giving.
Besides teaching our children how hard work could improve their own lives, are we also teaching them how it could also improve the lives of others?
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one's youth.
(Psalms 127:4-5)
