‘To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven’

- Ecclesiastes 3:1

You need negotiation skills.

Negotiation takes skills and empowers both parties if done properly.

When we were growing up, most of us didn’t do negotiation with our parents. There were no options. It was either you obeyed them or disobeyed and face the consequences.

However, in our time as parents, we notice that parenting has evolved. We can actually negotiate with our children so that they know their boundaries and why the boundaries are there.

For example, my 14-year-old son likes to play with his phone whenever he is home on holiday from boarding school but we negotiate times to submit his phone back to us daily. This is to remind him that playing on the phone is not all that there is to life. There is work, family time, devotion, chores etc. to get done daily.

Even for 4-8 year olds, we can apply the same principle, if you get play time, you also get to arrange your play area daily. We talk about it and agree.

We can negotiate and agree on acceptable behaviour and the boundaries to be kept. That way, every person has their needs met. It is important that we keep our ends of the bargain as it would be credibility for the future. God help us!

That said, we must also acknowledge that not all things are negotiable. Values are non-negotiable in raising our children such as our relationship with God, courtesy to parents and elders, honesty and so on because you intend to pass it down to your generation.

Are you struggling in this area? Bring it to Jesus today.

Prayer Moment

• Lord, I thank you for the privilege of being a mother.

• Father, I ask for grace to negotiate when necessary with my children.

• Lord Jesus, let godly values never be negotiable in my home in Jesus name.

• Thank you Lord, in Jesus name. Amen

Think Over it

What is God saying to me today?