Introducing the new Consider This Radio Show!
Welcome to my guest and friend Annette Petrick, whose Consider This Radio Show has just been re-launched as a brand new website as well as a podcast. Each episode is 90 seconds of inspired wisdom! Click the arrow on the player above to listen to this episode, then CLICK HERE to put your name on the email list to be notified of a new show every Sunday. And head on over to the new website for lots more shows.
Today’s episode: Children Grow Up [and so do their parents]
It’s a natural phenomenon; teen agers have the dumbest parents in town. And as time passes and teens grow into adults, those selfsame moms and dads seem to get wiser and more worth emulating.
Funny how that works.
This Consider This show (use audio player above to listen) is about changing relationships between parents and their children—after the children have reached adulthood. The process can be traumatic – or a blessing. It can lead to a family that bonds or one that becomes shattered. Patience and respect may be new concepts for parents to adopt towards those same tikes who used to terrorize the dog or refuse to eat their spinach.
Here are some thoughts about what that relationship could be or become.
[powerpress]
Annette Petrick is author and presenter of quickly delivered audio messages of hope, joy, gratitude and a distinctive look at life and its ironies. Her medium suits today’s busy schedules. An articulate story teller, she presents fast reminders of what makes life worth living. Her 90-second radio shows, Consider This with Annette Petrick are broadcast daily and now available as a podcast. She presents a refreshing, positive viewpoint wrapped in humor and love. One of her audio short stories is also delivered each Sunday morning via email (CLICK HERE to get on the list and receive a free gift). After a career as writer, nationally recognized speaker and entrepreneur, (Petrick Outsourcing Unlimited, Inc.), Annette continues to reinvent herself for the future. She resides with her fiancé Bill Gentry in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and on Anastasia Island in Florida.
What’s really a touchy situation is seeing your children choose to worship in a religion other than the one in which they were raised. But if you want them to remain a viable part of the loving circle of your life, you have to respect their choices as adults and believe that they know what is best for their own soul growth.
Kathryn, you are absolutely right, and I really appreciate your perspective on this: focusing on the “loving circle of your life.” It breaks my heart when I hear of people who have cut their children out of their life over disagreements about religion. We must respect their choices, and with this inclusive attitude, we can even learn from them too. I haven’t found the core principles of the world’s major religions to be as egregiously different as I used to think, at least in terms of the way one is taught to live their life.
Karen made such a good point about instilling values in her son’s early years. I just had such a wonderful experience with my two daughters in that area.
I suddenly needed major surgery. They flew to my side. That was to be expected. But then, the upbringing they had kicked in. They never once asked “Can I do anything for you?” They figured out what needed to be done, and did it. They were my advocates in the hospital, picked up meds on the way home, shopped for food, cooked and baked, never once asked me where something was in the kitchen. They figure it out.
They constructed a calendar with my med dates and watchpoints. Even washed my hair before they left. I was so in awe of these take-charge, loving women. So proud of the way their minds work and their hearts perform. Thank you Lord for this wonderful blessing.
Being friends with my son is one of the greatest gifts. Same goes for my daughter-in-law. Instilling values from his early years paid off. He’s grown into a valuable, contributing member of society as well as a great husband and dad. Since he’s still a total goof ball, I continue to see his childlike side, and it’s such a joy.
I agree, Karen, that the relationship with grown children can be such an amazing gift. John and I are often both edified and inspired by ours too.