It's Not Up To Us To Make Our Kids Happy

One day, I was trying to talk to one of our children.  They weren’t real excited about what I wanted them to do, or where I wanted them to go.  As I was sitting there trying to get them excited about the venture, a realization hit me.  I was trying to make them happy!  Let me explain.

As a mother, it is instinctual for us to be protective.  It is natural to want to see our precious ones laugh, enjoy and love life.  But that’s not always the case.  We find that at times, our children pout, resist and don’t enjoy things.  It can be hard to see them wasting time in a bad attitude, instead of relishing the joy they could be experiencing if they only changed that attitude!

But moms – it’s not up to us to make our kids happy.  Let me say it again – it’s not up to us to make our kids happy.  It is up to us to love them, support and protect them, teach them, and guide them.  The emotions of the heart; that is their choice.

A lot of times, we blame ourselves for what our children feel!  If they didn’t want to go to a family get-together and we made them – we feel bad when they don’t enjoy themselves!  All of us, including myself need to stop doing that.  We need to raise our children up to the best of our abilities – then let them go.  Be there for them, never stop loving them or being an encourager, but stop feeling guilty for the choices of your child’s heart.  That is too much guilt for any person to take on.  And, chances are your children will turn around and change their attitude.

We hope and pray our kids will be happy in life.  But it’s not up to us to make that choice for them.