Columnist: One for the ladies

Published 12:00 am Saturday, January 2, 2016

Jerry Johnson

Contributing columnist

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This one is for the ladies of the house.

It is so important for the man of the house to back his wife up when it comes to kids playing Mom against Dad. Dad needs to back Mom in front of the children. She has a hard enough time trying to be Superwoman cooking, cleaning, helping with kids’ schoolwork and holding down a full-time job.

Trying to get kids grown and gone is a full-time job in itself. The only princess that needs to be in the house is Mom. Spoiled kids are the kids of wimpy parents so help Mom when it comes to “yes” and “no.”

“No” is not something that needs an explanation, have some backbone. If Mom has said “No” you also say “No” and that be the end of it. Your kids are not wanting you to be their best friend, they are wanting you to be a parent and someone they can count on.

My kids were not spoiled, they were blessed. They had to do chores and they had to have good grades. Yes, they were blessed with good trips and cool toys, but they were taken to church, not sent.

Your children should have gratitude and appreciation of all the good things they receive. A nice home is a blessing in itself. Let your children learn to enjoy doing projects that they can take pride in and see the value of hard work.

When you give kids stuff without giving them the character to carry it, you are really hurting your child in the long run. As Dave Ramsey says, “Enabling is the enemy of motivation!” By enabling them they are always looking for the next thing they deserve and guess what, they go through life looking for the next thing they deserve.

Maybe my writing is getting better or maybe there are just more people who are stopping me and telling me, “Please say something about __________. ” Last night at the funeral home a lady stopped me and talked about how much the “Burning Bush” article meant to her.

It was about forgiving someone before you see them or they see you at the funeral home. I have gotten an unbelievable response about forgiving your friend for stepping on you. So if you have a suggestion I will always listen.

I hope this one about letting Mom be the only princess in the house helps.

Have a blessed day, and God bless your family!

Jerry Johnson is president of First Realty of LaGrange.