The Corona Survival Guide For ParentsSample

Give kids grace

Your kid has always been a sinner. Corona just gave him or her a better chance to prove it.

Recently, I invented this equation: The Amount of Sin = The Number of Kids x The Length of Time Together / The Square Footage of Your Home. There’s something scientific to that, isn’t there? :) 

The coronavirus has increased our time together and limited our ability to get away from each other. If your child(ren) are anything like mine, that has led to some less than Jesus-like moments of anger, bickering, or quarreling over issues like who has the right to use the tablet right now or who gets the pink marker first during art time.

That’s why we parents give our kids grace.

Our children absolutely need clear rules and consistent discipline, especially during a new season of life. Kids thrive when they know what to expect and how home life works. But even more than the rules, they need the grace of our Lord Jesus. They need his forgiveness and undeserved love. Nothing comforts their souls or inspires them to change quite like the grace of God.

That might look like: “Buddy, you messed up today. You hit your brother, and that wasn’t what God wanted. But the Bible says that ‘Christ forgave you’ (Ephesians 4:32). Do you know what that means? That means that Jesus highlighted your bad choice and pushed the delete button. Isn’t that amazing?”

Or it might look like: “Sweetie, it makes me sad when you talk back like you did today. That’s not what Jesus wants. But do you remember what Jesus did? He died for us, even when we were sinners (Romans 5:8). He loves us that much. He loves me that much. And he loves you that much too.”

This is a challenging time for all of us, our kids included. The devil is looking for new ways to lead us into sin, and sadly he will succeed. But Christian parents always have an answer—Christ.

So, Mom and Dad, give those kids grace. Let them know they’re loved in Christ. Maybe right now is the perfect time to start.

And, while you’re at it, remind yourself that God’s love applies to you too.

Want more on this topic? Try this Christ > Corona Reading Plan!