Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1512588
30 | WheelsOfGrace.com | #70 Last April, when my daughter Trinity and I took a motorcycle trip to North Carolina, we made a pact that we would visit all 50 states and pray over someone in each of those states. To date, we have already visited 15 states together. This includes our ride in Hawaii, on the Road to Hana. Personally, I have visited a total of 21 states on the motorcycle. These next two years we are continuing our journey so that we can hit all 50 states together. I have found great joy in riding with both of my daughters. Both daughters have put on many miles on the back of my Harley, and we continue to ride together creating lifelong memories. I call these miles together, "Memory Miles". My two girls: Trinity - 16 yrs. Old - Total States on motorcycle = 15 Total states on the motorcycle = about 9,000 miles. Taelyn - 13 yrs. Old - Total States on motorcycle = 7 Total states on the motorcycle = about 17,000 miles. Over the course of having five kids, I have received lots of advice from other people that have kids. One of the things that was told to me multiple times was that when my kids became teenagers, they would no longer want to spend time with me. People have warned me about each of the ages of kids and gave me the lowdown of how kids work and think. Most of these tips were inaccurate, and I've seen nothing further from the truth with all of my kids. The only advice that I received, that was true, is that your kids grow up fast. Be sure to spend lots of time with them before they leave the house. I have taken this advice to heart, and I strive to take every opportunity I can to spend with my kids. Kids do grow up fast and I think it's important to spend quality time with each of your kids. Even though it seems like I spend a ton of time with each kid, I definitely fall short of the time that I should spend with Memory Mi Memory Miles es them. I will always be striving to improve in this area. Based upon all the ill tips I received about parenting over the years, I decided to make my own "Top 10 Advice for Raising Kids" list. 1. 1. The secret of great parenting is love and discipline and the right measures. 2. 2. Kids will always push the boundaries because they are supposed to. It's the parent's job to clearly define the boundaries and set up consequences for pushing past them. 3. 3. Each kid is uniquely different, and you must adjust your parenting style, discipline, as well as praise for each of your kids individually. 4. 4. Make a prayer list for each of your kids and daily pray for them. Whatever they are lacking, bring these things to the Lord. Commit to praying for their daily needs, as well as their future needs. You will be amazed to see how many of your prayers will be answered. Pray for their future husband/wife. 5. 5. Treat their mother with the utmost respect and teach them to do the same. Your boys will tend to treat women how you treat their mother. Girls will expect to be treated the same way as their mother was treated. It is also true that kids tend to view their Heavenly Father the same way as they view their earthly father. If their father is loving, caring, and forgiving, this often is their view of God. If their father was never around and doesn't care about them, they will more than likely think God is a distant God and doesn't care for them. Fathers, we represent God to our family. Represent Him well. 6. 6. Spend lots of time with each of your kids individually. At times, one kid might require more time invested because of what they are going through at the time. It is so important to have this one-on-one time with each of your kids. Boys will never learn how to grow up and be a real man if they were not taught by a real man. Girls will not know how to look for a man that will cherish, love, and respect them, if they don't have this same example growing up, from their father. Another important note: You are not supposed to be your kid's buddy…you are their dad. This doesn't mean that you can't By Tom Sheltraw