National Parents Day | JOY for Today

Parents, you have a tough job, and we know it. But we also hope your parenting role brings you JOY. For days when worry overwhelms joy, we pray you remember these words:

"Family Concept" image by Perpetual Fostering at Flickr. Free for use under a CC  BY 2.0 license

Parents' Day Guides:

• Did You Know... One we did; four we didn't.
• Wolfe Stew Connects Musings from the Mrs.
• Bible Verses and Quotes About parenting.
• Activity Suggestions Parent honoring and strengthening ideas.

Did You Know:

1. Parents' Day was established by President Bill Clinton in 1994? Parents' day closes the trilogy of parental holidays and was initially observed in South Korea as a Mother's Day replacement. (Edarabia)
2. You can nominate exceptional parents to receive recognition? Nominations are to be submitted by June 30th at Parent's Day. Criteria for nominees include exemplifying qualities of sacrificial love; overcoming major obstacles; exhibiting moral values; and having a record of contributions to the family in the larger community. (Parents Day)
3. Supportive parents raise healthy adults? Adults raised by supportive parents experience better health, physical development, academic progress, and make better life choices. (Parental Rights)
4. The Supreme Court ruled on parenting rights? In 1925, in Pierce v. Society of Sister, the Supreme Court stated: "The child is not the mere creature of the State. Those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations."  (Parental Rights)
5. The percentage of children living with two parents has dropped by nearly 15 percent since 1968? The measurement of this trend is important because a child's living arrangement affects his/her outcome including academic achievement, depression, and aggression. (Census)

We'd Love to Know:

Which fact interests you?

Wolfe Stew Connects

We already celebrated Mother's Day (Second May Sunday) and Father's Day (Third June Sunday), why in the world do we need a Parents' Day (Fourth July Sunday)? Do any of us even celebrate it? Honestly, prior to this year, I did not even know it existed. 

I argue more than mother or father, the combination of mother and father justifies a new reason to celebrate. Parents, working together, produce an alchemy that results in breathtaking awe and numerous, well-documented advantages for the children they raise (Alliance for Marriage). 

It's a difficult job, Parents, for which you receive no training, no sick days, no vacation time, no pay - yet it is arguably the most important role of your life.

How do you do it? Where do you get your strength? Your confidence? Your reassurance? Your action plan?

I'm guessing it's in part from each other. I'm hoping it is. I hope you work together, encourage one another, and challenge each other. It's the strength of your marriage: your partnership. This two becoming one unit (Genesis 2:21-24). Amazing and confounding at the same time (Proverbs 30:18-19). You have that chemistry.

And when you think you don't, I hope there's another you both turn to. I hope His name is Jesus. I hope you keep Him in the center of your marriage and involve Him in your child-raising decision-making. And, I hope you share the unconditional, immeasurable love of our Heavenly Parent with your earthly child (Joel 1:3). It really will make surrendering this precious child to the world easier, knowing the love of Jesus.

To help with surrender, the process of releasing our clutch on the battles that matter most and trusting God to care for them, we've crafted a GROWTH for Today calendar. It has daily exercises that are short, impactful, and surrender focused. The battle for your children is a sacred one; entrust it to the Master. We're with you in this fight, Warrior!

We'd Love to Know:

Your best bit of parenting advice to share with new parents.

Bible Verses and Quotes about Parenting

Verses

• "There are three things that amaze me - no, four things that I don't understand: how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman." Proverbs 30:18-19 NLT
• "Tell your children about it; they will tell their children, who in turn will tell the next generation." Joel 1:3 GNT
• "Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself." Matthew 6:34 TPT
• "Being punished isn't enjoyable while it is happening - it hurts! But afterwards we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character." Hebrews 12:11 TLB
• "If you love your father or mother or even your sons and daughters more than me, you are not fit to be my disciples." Matthew 10:37 CEV

Quotes

• "The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother." - Henry Ward Beecher
• "Now is the time to concentrate on the people around you, the ones depending on you...You get one shot at this, and it's only for a season." - Brant Hansen, The Men We Need (p. 166)
• "There is no such thing as a perfect parent. So just be a real one." - Sue Atkins
• "A child who is allowed to be disrespectful to his parents will not have true respect for anyone." - Billy Graham
• "Train up a child in the way he should go but make sure you go that way yourself." - Charles Spurgeon

We'd Love to Know:

Which verse or quote are you thinking about?

Parents' Day Activity Suggestions

Children, honor your parents. Parents, love your children.

Our Nephew's Suggestion:

"Hug your parents - a big, long hug."

I love this. But I'd also add, as a child myself, let your parents know you think they are doing a great job! (They don't get enough compliments from you, trust me.)

Our Suggestions for Growth as a Parenting Unit:

1. Talk about it. What is working in your parenting? What isn't? Brainstorm solutions. Jot down a rough plan. Commit to one change.
2. Show the love. How do you continuously recommit to each other? Are you valuing and communicating that value to your spouse? What is yet another way you can show your spouse love?
3. Motivate each other. You are on a team. You depend on each other. So act like it: grow, learn, forgive, encourage, challenge, set goals, support, pitch in, rest, laugh, and savor each moment.

We'd Love to Know: 

How you'll observe Parents' Day?

We’re excited to share one more day with you and wish you JOY for Today and HOPE for Tomorrow. Come back next week for...Planner Day!

Fighting the Good Fight with You,

Find even more JOY for Today in our monthly calendars, holiday, and seasonal posts.