How is a parent’s job like a lighthouse?
First, let’s reflect on the characteristics of a
lighthouse. It is made of brick and mortar meaning it is very strong.
It stands tall day and night without bending or hesitating. It has a
bright light on top of its shoulders.
Secondly, what is the purpose of a lighthouse? It shines the
path for the ships that are traveling through the water. A lighthouse
reveals to the ships the shoreline. For a ship, that is the
difference between sailing on, or becoming ship-wrecked.
How is a parent’s job like a lighthouse?
We are our children’s bright light guiding them through stormy
times. We need to stand tall without bending. This is accomplished
through “modeling”, making good decisions for one self
(avoid arguing, yelling and caving in to your child’s demands).
As a lighthouse aids ships, these are the characteristics each parent
could strive for. Shine your light to guide your children on a safe
journey through the storms. Does a lighthouse bail ships out? Does a
lighthouse protect ships from learning a lesson? Does the lighthouse
keep ships from making a mistake and learning from their mistake? A
lighthouse does not do any of the above. It is wise to model the lighthouse.
Our children will learn a great lesson if we guide them instead of
protecting them. Mistakes are the gateway to growing. Remember one of
our goals should be to prepare them for the real world; not protect
them form the real world.
As a parent, as much as we hope to always protect our children. In
the long run, it will hamper our children. It can be a costly mistake
to prevent our children from learning, from their own experience.
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