Joyful Socks Mom: Saying Good-bye to Cookie-Cutter Parenting

6/1/14

Saying Good-bye to Cookie-Cutter Parenting

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It is a truth universally acknowledged???

Boys and girls are not that different.
Our expectations of our children should be the same across the board, regardless of gender.
What is good for the goose, good for the gander.
Anything you can do, I can do better . . . blah, blah, blah.

Holding children accountable in a "cookie-cutter" fashion, with no regard to gender is an outward sign the we are allowing the world to influence our parenting.

The current politically-correct, socialistic-styled parenting that our American culture appears to promote, dictates simply, that our boys and girls should be parented in the same manner. Our society, in general, has a bend toward promoting this manner of parenting as a basis for "equality". The main-stream cries out to the conservative moral-minority demanding, "non-separation by gender", and that all should be "fair and equal". Anything less than this socially accepted standard is considered narrow, or close-minded thinking.

Well then, if we are going to label and name call, let me be the first to volunteer. Yes, you may go ahead and slap me with the "narrow-minded conservative" label if it makes you feel better, and let's all get on with our lives shall we?

God's Word is clear in the rearing of children as individuals, whilst considering gender as a standard for accountability and discipleship.

"That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the world of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing corruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." Titus 2:4-8 (KJV)

It is widely accepted that men and women have different needs, emotionally, physically and mentally. Logic therefore dictates that boys and girls are different from one another in their emotional, physical and mental demands. Rightly then, they should be raised toward obtaining these needs, specific to their own gender. We ~~are~~ should be training children to step into God ordained roles as husbands and fathers, wives and mothers, therefore; a child's training should be specific and geared toward these roles as a life learning goal.

Yes, we are equal in the sight of God . . . on that, I believe we can agree. However; equality does not automatically dictate sameness. Equality, in my own estimation, means mutual respect, for the position and purpose of the opposite gender, and a respect for yourself in embracing your own God ordained role.

"For whatsoever things are written aforetime, are written for our learning, that we through patience, and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation give you that ye be like-minded one towards another, according to Christ Jesus, That ye with one mind, and with one mouth may praise God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:4-6 (GNV)

In short, toss the cookie-cutters parents, and embrace the differences in your sons and daughters with joy and determination to go counter-culture with your parenting of the future husbands and wives of the Church.