We just completed a series on parenting at Grace and if you missed any of it, I hope you’ll go to our website http://www.gfcfamily.com and watch the podcasts.  If you are a follower of Christ, I especially hope you’ll watch the message from Feb. 3, 2013 titled: Chalk It – Talk It – Walk It.

During this series I used a number of things parents shared with me about their hopes and fears, and our Student Pastor Scott Johnson did an anonymous survey with our 5th-8th grade students.  I have the cards from this survey and read every one; the things these students shared were very insightful.

When asked: If you could CHANGE one thing about your parents, what would it be?  I was surprised that many of the students said they’d not change anything about their parents.  There were a few typical answers like: “I wish they wouldn’t be so strict” and one student said “I wish my mom would let me eat chocolate cereal.”  Beyond that, the most frequent answers were things like: “I wish they wouldn’t fight so much” or “I wish they’d make up.”  Another thing they said often was: “I wish they’d listen to me more.”

The 2nd survey question was: What one thing do you really APPRECIATE about your parents?  The most common answers were things like: “They love me,” “They take care of me,” and “They’re always there for me.”

When asked: “What really BUGS you about your parents?” the answers were very similar to their answers concerning what they’d change.  Several of them said: “Nothing.”  Frequent comments included things like:  a) they treat me and my brothers & sisters differently, b) they’re overprotective, and c) they don’t listen to me.

Overall – the students who responded were very positive about their parents and appreciate your love, care and concern for them.  Most of their answers were encouraging, but a few were heartbreaking.

It really bothers them when you fight or show favoritism in your family.   And one thing was clear;  they’d like to be able to have more open communication with you about their lives, and want you to listen more when they want or need to talk with you…..which is a good thing!