Why And How To Parent With Purpose

Being a mother is one of the biggest blessings and joys we will ever have. It is also one that comes with the most responsibilities. You have been entrusted with this little person to care for, nurture, and raise. A task that at times can be overwhelming and we can often find ourselves ill-equipped to do.

If anything in life should come with an operation manual, it should be our kids. Although they do not, this motherhood thing is something that you can not only do, but do well. While learning to not just parent, but parent with purpose.

Why Parenting With Purpose Is Important

Everything we do with, for, and because of our kids should be done with purpose. As much as we would like for our kids to stay little forever, they do not.

Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)

So for the limited amount of time you have them in your home, make that time count. I can still remember vividly bringing all my girls home from the hospital. Now my oldest is a preteen and in middle school. Where has the time gone?!

Before we know it, our kids will be out in the world with the things we have taught and modeled for them. This is why it is so important to make sure you are parenting with purpose so the things they take out into the world will serve them well.

How You Parent With Purpose

Parenting with purpose revolves around the things you do and say. Both to your kids and when they are watching. Every person, both you and your kids, was created by God uniquely. So although you cannot parent every child the same, the things you do and say to your kids must be purposeful and meaningful to them.

For example, I have identical twin daughters. They look exactly alike, but are like night and day as far as everything else.

One is very motherly, sensitive, and loves to talk. While the other likes to do her own thing and cannot stop moving.  Making sitting on the couch, snuggling, and talking is what is best for one. While making getting outside and playing a game what is best for the other.

This does not make how I parent one better than the other. It just pushes me to parent in a way that works best for that child and has purpose. There is nothing cookie-cutter about motherhood, so embrace the things that make you and your kids unique and parent accordingly.

We have to also remember that our kids are like living and breathing sponges. So just as important as it is what we say and do with them. It is also important what we model for them as well.

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every works. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.
Titus 2:7 (NLT)

You are your child’s biggest and most influential influence and role model. This is something that we can not take lightly. Making it even more important to parent with purpose.

My husband, Eric, and I often laugh when we hear our girls playing and are mimicking me. They can be playing school or family, and it is like listening to miniature versions of myself. Although at times it may be funny, there are other times when I hear them say things I wish they did not. Things I may have done or said that I wish I did not.

It is in those moments I am reminded of how important is to not only be mindful of what I say and do. But also that what I do and say has a purpose because it will often be repeated, whether I want it to be or not.

To parent with purpose, you also have to discipline is a part of your parenting. This is often one of the hardest things for me about parenting. No one wants to be the “bad guy”, but it is so important.

Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.
Proverbs 29:17 (NLT)

Our kids have to know the difference between right and wrong. They need to learn to respect authority and to follow rules. While also learning that there are consequences to not doing the right thing, not respecting authority, and not following rules.

These are things that as moms we have to teach our kids early and often. To parent with purpose we know that it may not feel good at the moment and it may be hard, but it is worth it in the long run.

Always remember that you are not in this motherhood thing alone. With God’s help, a supportive village around you, and the right resources we can all rock motherhood and parent with purpose. So to help us all, over the next month or so our flavor of the month will be parenting with purpose.

Together we will learn tips, tricks, and get the encouragement we all need to better parent with purpose. Are you with me?!

I’d love to know what parenting with purpose looks like
or means to you in the comments!