Man, I’m wondering how many of you are having trouble dealing with your child on a behavioral issue?  Here I am an ex behavioral specialist and sometimes I get so frustrated with my two year old and all over his eating habits.    Then I start this wondering thing as in, “Is it me? Did I teach him to do this?”  I mean tonight, it boiled to a head where we squared up and I had enough, my poor wife had enough, and I think Avery finally had enough!

It was like dreading going to the dentist, you know it’s going to hurt but you know if you don’t go it’s going to hurt more later.  Knowing this I tackled it head on which meant several trips to time out, a little whack on the backside towards the end (while the prisoner was making an escape attempt), and a stern tone of voice.  After about ten minutes he finally broke.It was all over like it never happened.  He was eating his food, smiling, and enjoying it.  Now I start to think, “That’s not so bad, so why did I wait so long?”  Several reasons come to mind;

· I wanted Heather to be the one to do it because I knew she spent a lot more time with him in the day and he needed to know the boundaries with her.

· I didn’t want to be the bad guy.

· I’m scared to death that I might hurt him whether that would be emotionally or physically.

· My appetite was more important at that moment.

All of these are not good reasons and here is why.  First, because I am the ‘daddy’.  That means I am the lead and I am suppose to set the expectations for behavior with the rest of the family.  Secondly, I shouldn’t expect Heather to know how to do it.  Expectations get us in trouble because usually they are unrealistic. I’m the one with the training so I need to teach by showing examples not correcting when she is not doing it right.  Lastly, because I am the model for God with my children.  I know that sounds weird to some of you but it’s true.  They need to learn from me that God means what he says. He is slow to anger but He can be quick to discipline.  That He cares about everyone in the family equally and it’s not always about you.  And that He always forgives and forgets because His love knows no bounds.

These are actually great moments of growth for human beings.  When we face these challenges we become more like the image of God ourselves.  When we shirk our responsibilities as fathers and leaders our families are damaged by the fallout.  Just like a bad tooth it will eventually have to be pulled and by then it will leave a gaping hole, possibly with nothing to take it’s place.