Comments on: Parenting Links http://www.weekendkindness.net/2007/10/20/parenting-links/ Reaching Others Through Kindness Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:24:53 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: MInTheGap http://www.weekendkindness.net/2007/10/20/parenting-links/comment-page-1/#comment-4138 MInTheGap Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:07:45 +0000 http://www.weekendkindness.net/2007/10/20/parenting-links/#comment-4138 I guess that for me, I have to ask myself how long I've been friends with the person and where is it headed. Where I totally agree with you Mrs. Brigham that you should say what the problem is or the reason that you think that you may not be able to associate with them any more, there are some families that believe that they're doing find and won't see what you have to say regardless of the way that you approach it. And then there's the case of families that want to change, but what do you do during the turmoil? In either case, better to model Christlike behavior regardless of the choice. I guess that for me, I have to ask myself how long I’ve been friends with the person and where is it headed.

Where I totally agree with you Mrs. Brigham that you should say what the problem is or the reason that you think that you may not be able to associate with them any more, there are some families that believe that they’re doing find and won’t see what you have to say regardless of the way that you approach it.

And then there’s the case of families that want to change, but what do you do during the turmoil?

In either case, better to model Christlike behavior regardless of the choice.

]]> By: Mrs. Brigham http://www.weekendkindness.net/2007/10/20/parenting-links/comment-page-1/#comment-4123 Mrs. Brigham Sat, 20 Oct 2007 21:27:08 +0000 http://www.weekendkindness.net/2007/10/20/parenting-links/#comment-4123 I do think the idea of friends being a "package deal" to be an *important* one, but I am honestly left with a bad taste in my mouth about the idea of cutting friends loose and not saying a word about why. This is not to say that this author did just that, but ending a friendship and never saying a word about the problem is not at all loving, and could even be called cruel in some instances. Being honest in a loving, Christ-like fashion may not always be easy, especially about topics such as parenting & other "sticky" issues, but leaving such things unsaid is not too much better than directly lying, IMO. Better to be stung by the lips of a friend than kissed by an enemy. Yes, the people who are spoken to may have their pride hurt or be "offended", but with much prayer and continued love, they may be led to see the flaws of their ways and address the issues in their life. I know if I were the person who was raising my children incorrectly or sinning in some other way, I do honestly hope that a sibling in Christ, but especially someone who considers themselves my "friend" would have the compassion and kindness to steer me in the right direction. Especially as I am very new to this whole motherhood thing! :o) In a world where "friends" will tell "white lies" about your looking great in the "fat dress," I do not know how many people would have such true love and bravery, though. :o( I do think the idea of friends being a “package deal” to be an *important* one, but I am honestly left with a bad taste in my mouth about the idea of cutting friends loose and not saying a word about why. This is not to say that this author did just that, but ending a friendship and never saying a word about the problem is not at all loving, and could even be called cruel in some instances. Being honest in a loving, Christ-like fashion may not always be easy, especially about topics such as parenting & other “sticky” issues, but leaving such things unsaid is not too much better than directly lying, IMO. Better to be stung by the lips of a friend than kissed by an enemy. Yes, the people who are spoken to may have their pride hurt or be “offended”, but with much prayer and continued love, they may be led to see the flaws of their ways and address the issues in their life.

I know if I were the person who was raising my children incorrectly or sinning in some other way, I do honestly hope that a sibling in Christ, but especially someone who considers themselves my “friend” would have the compassion and kindness to steer me in the right direction. Especially as I am very new to this whole motherhood thing! :o) In a world where “friends” will tell “white lies” about your looking great in the “fat dress,” I do not know how many people would have such true love and bravery, though. :o(

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