Yesterday at Church180 we started a new teaching series called, #worstparentever.

If you missed it, you can watch/listen here.

The whole point of this teaching series is to encourage parents and to share information that we are finding to be helpful!

The first lesson in this series was this…

The better you are the better they are.

My heart hurts for so many parents! It seems like once they become parents they forget themselves.

Now before you write me off, let me remind you that I understand as well as anyone that parenting requires a shift in attention! Sherri and I have six daughters so I know what it requires.

HOWEVER, I regularly see parents completely neglect themselves once baby arrives… and that’s a mistake!

Here’s why…

YOU (parent) are the best gift you can give to your child! If you neglect yourself you won’t be a good gift!

Think about this, if you don’t care for yourself one else will. And if no one is caring for you it won’t be long until you run out of energy and passion… you will simply be a shell of the person you used to be… and that is not a good gift to your children!

No one else will care for you… least of all your kids! Their mission in life (at least the first few years) is to spill food, poop, scream, break things, and generally make things inconvenient as possible for you. Of course, none of this is on purpose… it’s just their default… until you teach them differently!

They (your kids) are not likely to offer to give you time to pray, exercise, or read. They are not likely to strike a deal with you that gives you time to nurture healthy relationships in exchange for an extra cup of juice.

Nope.

If you are going to do those things it’s all up to you to find/make the time.

And here’s the scoop… when you do… it will make you a better person and parent!

If you say, “I don’t have time.” I call “Bull Crap” on you. Sherri and I find the time… and we have six kids. You can do this! You MUST do this!

Remember…

The better you are the better they are!

So, take some time to watch this lesson and then go make a plan to care for yourself!