Daniel was our greatest challenge as a child.
He is fourth-born out of seven, making him the middle child, is our only
red-head -- which seemed to go along with his fiery temper - and his
temperament is classic Sanguine, meaning there was very little pause between
thought and action (or connection between repeated action and repeated
consequence!). It was only through learning to enforce (and
reinforce) firm boundaries in a gentle sprit, and through much prayer,
that Daniel's heart was reached. He was 15 when he gave this testimony to
my Moms’
Meeting in December 2003.
What a Mom Can Do To Help Win
Her Teen’s Heart
Daniel Freeman
What really encourages me is
that I know that my mother really loves me, and makes it a point to tell
me almost every single day that she loves me, that she's proud of me, and
proud of a lot of the stuff that I'm doing.
When she corrects me, she
usually keeps a loving attitude towards me, and I know that she really cares
about me. When she does something wrong, like correcting me in anger instead
of love, she comes to me and tells me she is sorry and asks my forgiveness.
Some times when she can't get something through to me she brings Dad in.
My Dad’s talks have always gotten through to me.
If my Mom makes a promise to do
something and can't follow through or forgets, it helps so much when she
comes to me and tells me why she couldn't do it, or if she forgot, that
she's sorry she forgot. And if she can, she will try to do what ever it
is again.
She makes me feel special by
sometimes going on a special date with me, to the movies or just to
McDonalds for a coke or something, sometimes with my brothers with me.
She supports me in just about
every thing I do. She works hard for my success.
If there are older brothers or
sisters going somewhere special with you, or if it's just to go out with
you, invite your teen to come along with you. You don't know how much it
might mean to him.
These are just some of the
things my mother does to turn my heart towards her. I hope they help
others.