Parent tip: Communication

1. Clear communication with your wife/partner on responsibilities

It is imperative to discuss expectations and responsibilities early and often regarding all aspects of parenting. Discuss expectations about cooking and home care, contributions to parenting at night and on weekends, managing relatives, etc. Setting clear expectations up front will reduce conflict and resentment.

With the joys of new life coming into this world there also comes the tremendous amount of reasonability as you are suddenly given not only a child but a powerful gift. Children are a blessing from the Lord and for His own reason; God desires to give them to imperfect parents. It seems like if you really want to better the human race, bringing them into the world at least mid-adult would be better. But here we are as parents in a whole new world breaking out into the adventure of raising new lives.

Parenting is an exciting adventure and the typical design of the modern household is to place children among loving hands. My wife and I prayed a lot and worked hard to get the three blessings we have. The Lord blessed us with our children as a gift and we are in return to bless them with our love and attention.

Two years ago my wife and I sat down and discussed the parenting roles and what made the most sense at the time was for me to be the stay at home parent. While she has been working hard during the week, I remain at home with the little ones. I have also been working a night and weekend job which has allowed her the honor of being the at home parent for two days during the week. We both realized early on this is a two person job.

It is with a good deal of hesitation I even call parenting a job though; there is a great deal of negativity associated with the word. But for the sense of labels we call it what it is because parenting does become a good deal of work, with everything but monetary reward.

Every week then feels like a new adventure as the kids grow and learn and become increasing in their ability to complain and throw tantrums. It is also important since we have our oldest in school now, we do not lose communication. My wife is my partner and in no ways is lesser or greater as a parent. The Lord does not make some greater or worse, for all of us shall give glory to the Lord for all things.

Avoiding conflicts then becomes a must in parenting. We have to keep open lines of communication on the daily chores around the house, cleaning, cooking, and dealing with your basic financials. Some of those tasks must be shared, while others handled by those who are better equipped. But we cannot forget we are partners and in this world of parenting we can never leave each other behind.