Building, Growing, Health and Spiritual updates from Wild Eden on sustainable living, organics, permaculture, eco building, homeschooling and more
Tag: <span>parenting</span>

Tag: parenting

What is the hardest job in the world?

To all the men out there: Happy ‘one of the hardest jobs in the world’ Day!  It’s a job that has many requirements, but very little pay. In fact, to do it well, it will cost you stacks. You will regularly not have a clue what to do, and the times that you think you do, you may be wrong. You’ll rarely (if ever) hear you’re doing a good job, but regularly know (or hear) how you fail. The success of this job can rarely be measured, but will often be blamed for plenty. But know this (I am speaking to myself here …

for thought | Parenting   |

What is harder: being a good father or being a good husband?

What is harder: being a good father or being a good husband? I find both incredibly difficult and I fail *all the time*…but there is something I find even harder. Being a son! Today, my step dad was emotional as he shared about how close he got to elders that discipled him in a church. He had been asked to speak at the funeral of one of the elders and it was incredibly meaningful to become so close to people from a very different background.  Yet here, in this emotional moment, where this man who tried to tried to father …

for thought | Marriage / Sig Other | Parenting   |

Are we reflecting THE Father?

DM post to a group of men I study the Bible with online Evening brothers,  I just wanted to pass on a request for prayer… I have been reading & dwelling on Romans 2:4:   Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4-11 (NLT)  Obviously we can (or at least should) be besotted with gratitude for the fact that God operates as a loving Father towards us: He uses kindness to train us & not …

Marriage / Sig Other | Parenting | Relationships   | |

Your kids *want* a relationship with you…

Don’t waste the time you have while your children are young… your career, money, success, achievements, possessions are *nothing* in comparison.  “You need to understand this about your kids – it is worth knowing: your kids want to have the very best relationship with you that they possibly could have. They are 100% on board with that idea. Way more than *anyone* you have every met in your life.  That means you can have the best relationship with your children that you have ever had with anyone – that is what they offer you –  it is up to you …

Parenting  

Happy Anniversary 2024

21 years ago, I stood, dreadlocks brushed out, sweating in a suit, on a stage, waiting for you to join me at the altar…  I had no idea how things would pan out. I had no idea how difficult the road would be. I had no idea of how to be a good husband. I had no idea of of what a good father was like. I had no idea how to pick a good life partner. In short, I had no idea.  Thankfully God did!  You are such an amazing woman, I’m blown away… No matter which memory, which year, which project, which mammoth stuff up …

Marriage / Sig Other | Parenting | Personal   | |

THIS is MY body!!

A phrase that is issued by the diametrically opposed:  “This is MY body!! I am going to kill you, so I can ‘live’ ” (Mother to baby)  “This is My BODY, broken, bruised & killed, so YOU can live” (Jesus to sinners, like you and me) The first phrase originated from Gods opponent: the liar, the accuser, satan. he continually issues lies and half-truths designed to leave you trapped, disillusioned, depressed, addicted and worse.  Killing your baby will not make your life better or more fulfilling. It may seem easier right now, but you were designed to be fulfilled by motherhood. You were …

Culture | Parenting   |

No matter how hard you try as a parent…

No matter how hard you try as a parent, you can never: protect your children from everythingensure your good intentions (or lessons) will be interpreted correctlyimagine the highs & lows you will experience as they grow upforce God to open their eyes, convince or convert them…  Far from trying to brain wash them into religion, we have always wanted our children to *know* the Truth for themselves. (The Truth is Jesus, the living King of all, *not* a set of religious beliefs or doctrines). Tonight was one of those times where I saw evidence that He was revealing Himself to …

Culture | Parenting   |

Connect, Share, Love

Today, being the anniversary of my mother in laws death, we spent some time reflecting on her life.  This photo is one of my favourites of her. Battling cancer, walking in uneven sand up from the old caravans were were living in. She had spent the time to come and visit and on the trek back to the car she didn’t miss a trick connecting with one of my younger sons.  It is such a reminder that life is ‘just’ a collection of moments where we can spend time and actually connect with others. The clothes, the money, the house, …

Ministry / TPM | Parenting | Personal   | |

Sharmini – Amazing Mother

I am humbled and amazed when I think of all you do in this family honey. I know at times, it is tiring, stressful. chaotic and even seems futile. But be encouraged, God uses *every* single action, every word and sacrifice! Your prayers early in the morning and late at night.  Your honesty and humility with personal faults  Your example in going to God and dealing with said faults.  Your modelling of commitment to and respect of your husband.  Your sacrifice giving up your desires, friends, activities to lead your children to Him.  Your understanding of your children’s feelings and …

Personal   |

Mothers Day 2023 – do what you can

I see a lot of the incredible work that goes on behind the scenes of Christian homeschool motherhood due to my wife…and I am amazed. At times, it is tiring, stressful. chaotic and even seems futile. But be encouraged, God uses *every* single action, every word and  sacrifice!  Your prayers early in the morning and late at night. Your honesty and humility with personal faults Your example in going to God and dealing with said faults. Your modelling of commitment to and respect of your husband. Your sacrifice giving up your desires, friends, activities to lead your children to Him. Your understanding of your …

Homeschool | Parenting   |

The most valuable disciples in the world…

Since Christmas, we have set up and rammed a new front fence: it’s not finished, but feels great to have *finally* made some progress on it! I have to say, that despite the pain and severe physical limitation, I *love* working with this amazing family.  We had some friends come to help – and watching our kids continually take the time to stop, include and teach others is so rewarding. To me, it is part of what discipleship looks like, a command from our Master, so desperately needed and severely lacking.  It is one of the aspects of my Christian …

for thought | Marriage / Sig Other | Parenting   |

Be encouraged fellow pilgrim

Be encouraged fellow pilgrims…  Many of you know that for over a year I have been telling my children that they need to be sure about where God wants them as our culture is doomed. In fact, according to history, our cultures demise is sure in our life time let alone theirs.  But that said, I am not worried or discouraged – Jesus the King is on the throne, God’s will is being fulfilled and can not be thwarted. While our culture may be nearing the end of its road, this is not a new phenomenon.  The vast Herodian empire, …

Culture | Parenting | Preaching   | |

Happy Mothers Day 2022

The outlook was bleak and there were many risks.  This was the worst time to fall pregnant – no income, already two children to care for and the bills were mounting.  It was clear that the father was bad news – sure enough he left as soon as he heard the news. No support, no income, no house, no financial security, no child support.  The choice for many reading this would be simple: have it killed.  Thankfully, my mother had come to believe that life was precious and sacred, even before birth. This is what she had read in the …

Culture | for thought | Parenting   |

7 Traits of successful children…according to the Bible PART 1

[This is Party one of a 7 Part Series] I recently read an article that stated the ‘7 traits of successful children’ written by a psychologist. Of course I wanted to see what was classified as ‘successful’ and whether I was doing a good job or not.  Of course, I logically know that most psychologists operate from a secular world-view, but I clicked anyway…  The first point confirmed my suspicion: Self Confidence!p This is what most of the world chases and what is associated with ‘successful’ people. From a Biblical point of view though, Self Esteem is just selective pride. …

for thought | Parenting   |

UN Homeschool pressure: Be Encouraged Christian Parent

Hello precious people!  After reading about the UN’s push for Western governments to clamp down on homeschooling i felt to write the below.  With our election just around the corner, with more parties signing on to the progressive agenda, things might seem futile. But don’t give up! While things may get more difficult God is in control – Jesus sits in the place of victory – He is King!  Your actions & work inputting His Truth into your precious ones will not be useless – His word never returns void. The foundation you give your children can hold them in …

Parenting   |

Does Smacking a child lead to rebellion / addiction?

I wrote the below in response to an article that argued: Smacking children causes drug addiction Smacking never works Smacking can never be done healthily…. First off, if we base our parenting on research, we will likely never hit the mark – and it will continually change. The research (despite the authors insistence) can never give a total nor completely clear picture of all the variables, outcomes and personality types. The data is interpreted by people through their worldview (most ‘psychology’ research is based in secular humanism). This week playgrounds need to be safer – next week we’re told that …

Parenting   | |

How Discipline Proves Love

I recently wrote an article looking at the ‘Death of the West’: how history reveals that we can not survive the next 40 years. (Article is Here)   All through history, powerful, educated, military nations that should rule the world have ceased to exist. However, it is small, insignificant, uneducated nations like the Jews, have survived through the ages (despite concerted efforts to the contrary!) . It just does not make sense… Unless of course there is some supernatural power at play. Interestingly, the Bible describes this very scenario: a God who punishes nations who violate His law. According to this incredible book, the …

Culture | for thought | Parenting   | | | |

Find me Dad! How hide & seek finds us all…

Have you ever wondered why children want us to find them? It’s reveals something quite profound and it points to something that is universal to us all… It is immensely powerful even though most aren’t aware of it’s reality – though you likely have experienced some of it’s consequences….

Parenting | Relationships   | |

Last Minute Mothers Day Ideas for your wife…mostly FREE!

As a dad with 6 children, a big part of being a good husband and father is to model how to show love and help the children to love and honour people – especially their mother. This is an area where I have failed heaps, but over the years there has been a few ways that have stood out that have ‘worked’ in this regard for me. The first is receiving love from God. Don’t switch off – seriously – we have often received either only a little love while growing up or a tainted version of love. This leaves …

Marriage / Sig Other | Parenting   | |