Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
General Christian
Family, Parenting and Religion
The Good Thing About Being the Bad Guy, Part 2

The Good Thing About Being the Bad Guy, Part 2

Last updated on: April 25, 2023 at 5:00 am by Shaunti Feldhahn

0 Comments

The Good Thing About Being the Bad Guy, Part 2 2023-04-24T15:39:57-04:00 Shaunti Feldhahn

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Action #5: Plan time to connect as a couple

I can almost hear what some of you are thinking: But I need help reining in smart phone use, disrespectful language, and teenage drama! I need a survival strategy for parenting teenagers, not a date night. Ah, but regular time to connect as a couple is a survival strategy.

Here’s why making time together as a couple is so important: Even though the research shows that teenagers actually want us to take charge, they’ll also expend a lot of energy challenging our authority. As couples, this can leave us frayed, frustrated, and – if we’re not careful – fighting with each other. Spending regular, meaningful time talking, praying, being sexually intimate, and planning for the future helps us stay attuned to each other’s needs. In this way, we can also address our teenagers’ needs on stronger footing – together instead of taking the “tag, you’re it” approach.

What about those who would love to have a spouse’s support, but instead are single-parenting? I have several close friends who are single parents, and I know you are in a unique and often difficult situation. So the first thing you need to do is have grace with yourself! Yes, your child needs discipline and attention – but it is totally understandable that you also have to juggle your sanity. However, for the sake of your kids, it is also important to find the support you need to stay the course. Being the bad guy can be lonely when you’re the only bad guy! It is crucial to seek connection and help through a small group at church, prioritize time in God’s word, and get equipped through excellent and specialized resources like those at Focus on the Family.)

Go back Continue Reading

General Christian

Previous Post

April 20, 2023

The Good Thing About Being the Bad Guy, Part 1

Next Post

May 2, 2023 4 Easy Ways to Start Helping Kids Understand Their Feelings

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

"I really appreciated the emphasis on approaching these conversations with empathy and curiosity rather than ..."

lorena rrossi

6 Ways to Talk about Gender ..."

"Of course - per Old Testament precedent - God himself, or Jehovah per se... is ..."

chris sonofpear1

How to Deal with Difficult People ..."

"Security patrols deter crime, ensure safety, and provide rapid response. Learn how they protect your ..."

bagherzadehmj

How to Find True Rest – ..."

"I'm gonna be quite honest...I work 3 jobs to make ends meet for my family, ..."

Gene

Why Doesn’t my Wife Feel Secure?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Christmas church current events dissent Editor's Choice family gifts growth humor kindness marriage men money news other parenting personal personal sex singleness teenagers Uncategorized women work

Select a Month September 2025 August 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Solomon Joshua Gideon Moses

Books by This Author Books by Shaunti Feldhahn

See All Titles »