Your child doesn’t owe you perfection.

Not straight A’s.

Not a spotless attitude.

Not sleeping through the night.

Not an empty plate.

Not excitement for every plan you make.

Not obedience without question.

They don’t owe you those things just because you’re their parent. They’re still learning. Still feeling. Still becoming. Just like you. They don’t exist to meet your expectations. They exist to become who they’re meant to be.

And your love? 🤔 It’s meant to guide, not demand. Love that reflects the Father’s heart is patient, shaping gently rather than forcing outcomes.

Let that truth settle deep. When frustration rises, show them grace… and offer yourself some too. This is not about lowering standards but about recognising the sacred process of growth. As we walk alongside them, we are called to mirror God’s heart — correcting in love, encouraging in hope, and believing the best, even when they stumble.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to love my children the way You love me — with patience, compassion, and steadfast grace. Teach me to guide without demanding, to encourage without crushing, and to see their worth beyond their performance. May my words and actions point them to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.