Grace Based Discipline: How to Be at Your Best When Your Kids Are at Their Worst

by Karis Kimmel Murray

Choose not to take their behavior personally, even if it is. Don’t waste your emotional oxygen huffing and puffing about your kids’ behavior. The Bible reminds us that we gave birth to sinners (Romans 3:23). We shouldn’t be surprised when they act that way.

a grace-based home is one where our kids know that their identity as a loved member of our family doesn’t hinge on their behavior.

A note of caution: make sure to choose words that label the behavior and not your child. For example, if your child lies to you say, “That was a lie,” or, “What you just said isn’t true.” Don’t say, “You are a liar.” If your child is bullying their younger sibling say, “That’s bullying,” or, “That was unkind.” Don’t say, “You’re a bully.” Our words have power, especially the words we speak over our children. Their behavior determines what they do; it doesn’t have to define who they are.