Choose Your Battles…Wisely

    Dear family friends of ours moved away a couple of years ago to beautiful Colorado. It’s home for them, so moving back was bitter sweet – leaving friends here in Kansas City, but rejoining the family that they have been missing. They have four kids who are like stair steps in age, and one is cuter than the next – both in looks and personality. Really, these kids are adorable, full of energy and passion, and it blesses us to watch the parents in action with the four of them. 
    By the grace of God, this family was able to meet our little girl only a week after she was born. They were also able to see her only 2 weeks after her first birthday – what a treat this was for us!! And again, we enjoyed time with their four kiddos, seeing how they’ve changed, learning what’s new with each of them, and so on. 
    My husband asked them how they get by day to day with four kids. He assumed there was some bickering (which would be typical for most siblings, especially ones so close in age). One thing that stuck out to me was their response of choosing your battles. We’ve all heard this throughout our lives, I’m sure, and if you’re anything like me, you probably choose all of the battles. Hmm….probably not what the phrase is intending for the reader. 
    It seems there is much good that can come from choosing your battles wisely. Allowing the kids to work through an argument, and (the parent) letting go of some control in order to give the kids more responsibility, seemed to be two good outcomes from this wisdom. She also felt as though her kids were more independent, better problem solvers, and she used discernment as to when she should step in and guide her kids through a situation, and when she thought they could handle it on their own. 
    What about you? Do you struggle to “choose your battles wisely” when it comes to your children? Are there certain battles you seem to keep fighting, and if so, how can you handle them differently?