All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37

Have you ever said yes, when you should have said no, or no when you should have said yes or maybe? We all have. We can all look back and see incorrect decisions made by haste, lack of judgment or by an answer of convenience. Hindsight is 20/20.

What can you learn from past mistakes regarding your children?

What can you learn from saying yes, when it should have been no, or no when it should have been maybe or yes? The bottom line is, decisions should be based upon much thought, prayer, concrete principles and rules and sticktoitiveness.

Your children will be asking you questions throughout most of their lives. Their questions may mature from may I have candy to may I borrow money? But needless to say, you still have to answer yes, no, or maybe, and your response may be detrimental to your child’s well being. So think before you speak!

When a child is young, due to peer pressure, he or she may be looking for you to be their fall guy.

It is hard for a young person to oppose peer pressure. Your saying no can make it easier for them to not go against their conscience and better judgment. “No” can be the most positive and beneficial response you make for your child. Your strong wise decisions bring security!

Learn how to soften your no. Say no without saying no.

Provide options for your children. You may not want them going to see a certain movie, but another movie may be fine. You may not want them over a certain person’s house, but they may all come over to your house. Make food!

Before saying no, respond by saying, have you thought about ….? You may have a better time doing …., or, let me think and pray about it, etc. You do not always have to provide a dissertation for your responses, but your children need to know you are not just winging it, and are looking out for their best interests.

Some important guidelines to follow regarding how to answer your child’s requests are as follows.

Do not be pressured or coerced into answering on your child’s timeline or succumbing to their emotional response.
Take time to make a decision so you can answer wisely. It is ok to say “maybe” to allow yourself to think about things, seek godly wisdom, pray and make the right decision.
“No” is not a bad word, but saying no and doing the opposite is not beneficial to your child gaining confidence in your decisions.
Explain the whys behind your rules. They need to know you are making decisions for their best interests and not just for convenience.
Requests should always be made directly to you as a parent without any other influences around, like friends and other family members. (The answer to our children’s requests would always be no when asked along with their friends.)

BOTTOM LINE:

A parent must know the reasons behind their yes, no and maybe.
A child finds security in parents making right decisions for them.
You can learn how to say no without coming across as uncaring.
Set up guidelines for answering your children’s requests.

Today’s Prayer: LORD, help me to not be double minded in my parenting. Give me wisdom in making right decisions regarding my children’s requests and make me strong in my resolve. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen!

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