Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success. – Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

I sometimes wonder, do other people- other parents, have a plan on what and how to raise their kids “well?” So that when they’re grown they’re secure in themselves and the paths they’ve taken to get where they are, they have Jesus in their corner, and they’re happy?

Am I the only one who feels like I’m winging it?

Am I the only one who has a hard time being creative about how to explain things, how to convince gently, figuring out when I have to raise my voice and when to be patient? When to be quiet..

Am I the only one who gets occasionally paranoid about where I could go wrong?

Of course not. I can’t be. I can’t be the only parent finding difficulty in teaching my kids things I’m finding I’ve barely learned myself..

I guess the only practical answer is to try for grace. To teach gracefully as I learn. I have no idea what that means but it sounds right and I’m sure I’ll figure it out.