Are you a grace-based parent? You might be. First, think about how you would answer the following questions. Then, we’ll dive into what grace-based parenting is all about!
- Do you love your kids and long to see them succeed?
- Are you pulling for your children, on their side, and one of their biggest fans?
- When your kids mess up, are you quick to forgive?
- Is it more important to you that your children learn from mistakes than feel bad about them?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you are likely well on your way to becoming a grace-based parent. Keep reading, as we dive deeper into what grace-based parenting is all about!
Part #1: Grace-Based Parenting Questions and Answers
To get started, let’s examine some common questions and answers about grace-based parenting.
What is grace?
To understand grace-based parenting, first it’s necessary to understand grace.
So what is grace?
Grace is an unmerited love and unearned favor. When someone is guilty of wrongdoing, grace says, “You’re in luck, I’m not going to dish out the consequences you deserve.” Although these common definitions are good, for Christ-followers, grace is ultimately defined in a person and an act. The ultimate form of grace was shown when Jesus Christ willingly laid down his life, on the cross, for our sins.
Romans 5:8 says,
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Instead of receiving the punishment we deserve, Christ took our consequences for us. Now that is amazing grace!
Romans 5:8 is significant because Christ didn’t die for us after we became good. We in no way, shape, or form deserved this. Christ’s act was extraordinarily grace-filled because there was zero merit on our part.
In Monopoly, grace is a get out of jail free card. At school, grace is a teacher who allows students to correct their wrong answers on a test to raise their grades.
My Childhood Grace Story
When I was a child, I stuck my finger in a power-socket after my parents told me not to. I got zapped and it hurt! On this occasion, my parents showed grace by providing comfort instead of discipline.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says,
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Once again we see that grace is an undeserved gift. It might be thought of as an unbirthday present. We don’t deserve the gift, yet, we receive it anyway! This is what my parents did with me. They provided the gift of comfort even though I got zapped because I broke their rule.
What is grace-based parenting?
Grace-based parenting is balanced parenting. Christ is the ultimate example of grace. He modeled grace for us, and grace-based parents seek to follow His lead. In grace-based parenting, the most important question is “What is Christ’s example?”
The answer is found in John 1:14, which says that Jesus dwelt among us “full of grace and truth.”
As Christ-followers, we look to the cross as the ultimate act of grace. However, Jesus was not 100 percent grace 100 percent of the time. Don’t forget, He also drove money changers out of the temple and called the Pharisees a “brood of vipers.” Now that is some serious truth!
Grace-based parenting is different from grace-only parenting. It is balanced parenting and a healthy combination of both grace and truth.
The Downfalls of Grace-Only Parenting
What do you call someone who parents with 100% grace? The answer is, “A doormat.” Psychology calls grace-only parenting laissez-faire parenting. This French term means “to let people do as they please.” It’s a hyper-relaxed parenting style that has little involvement. A grace-only parent allows their child to get away with everything. As a result, the child grows increasingly rebellious over time.
Both the life of Christ and Scriptures such as Proverbs 3:12, teach us that grace-only parenting is far from ideal. If you lean more toward the laisses-faire parenting style, know that a balance of truth is needed.
The Downfalls of Truth-Only Parenting
The opposite of laissez-fair parenting is the autocratic parent style. This is also sometimes called the authoritarian style. Think of a drill-sergeant. This type of parent makes harsh demands and exerts a high level of authority. This parenting style is heavy on the truth. The truth-only parent’s motto is, “If you break a rule you will receive the consequences—with no exceptions!”
Truth-only parenting is harsh and will ultimately damage the parent-child relationship. To truth-only parents, Christ would say, “A balance of grace is a must.”
The Assertive Parent’s Balance
In the middle of these two extremes is the assertive parenting style. The assertive parent is a grace-based parent. He or she had the best of both the laissez-fair and autocratic parenting style The grace-based parent (notice we didn’t say the “pure-grace parent”) is able to artfully balance truth and grace at home.
What is a graced-based parent?Â
So, what exactly is a grace-based parent? Grace-based parenting is difficult to define because the grace-based parent lives in the grey zone. For the grace-based parent, black-and-white rules don’t exist. Instead, the grace-based parent knows how to momentarily relax the rules when the situation calls for this. Grace-based parenting teaches and heals at the same time. In short, the grace-based parent is an intuitive parent. He or she doesn’t live by hard and fast rules but is concerned with what her child needs most.
For example, in grace-based parenting a child who breaks the rules haughtily will receive a healthy dose of truth.
However, children who:
- break rules sorrowfully…
- were unable to live up to mom and dad’s standard…
- already feel badly about their error and long to make up for it…
these children may need a parent who leans toward grace.
In short, a grace-based parent is an adaptable parent. Grace-based parents discern their child’s needs and what the situation calls for. Then, they respond accordingly.
What is grace-based discipline?
Grace-based discipline is a discipline that is based upon the laws of truth and grace. We call this type of discipline grace-based because typical discipline is heavy on the truth. Truth-based discipline says when a specific rule is broken, a specific consequence follows. For example, according to truth-based discipline:
- If you speed, then you get a traffic ticket.
- Take what doesn’t belong to you, and you will go to jail.
- Turn in an assignment late, and you receive zero credit for that assignment.
100 percent truth says, “These are the rules, and when they are broken, a specific consequence follows—every time and without exception!”
Grace, on the other hand, takes into account the other person’s heart and the needs of the moment.
- Was he speeding because his pregnant wife is in labor?
- Did she steal because she hadn’t eaten and couldn’t pay?
- Was the assignment late because of a family emergency?
If so, then relaxing the normal rules may be in order. This is where grace comes into play.
Let’s further explain with a story about how Jenny and I apply grace-based principles in our home. We do this with something we call family do-overs.
Part #2: Graced Based Parenting Examples with Family Do-Over Days
A few weeks ago, our family had a family do-over day. I wish I could provide more details, but I can’t. This lack of clarity is because the entire week was a blur. Jenny started a new job. I was trying to keep up with teaching, counseling, and consistent writing. Our two oldest girls were finishing their school year. This, of course, meant end of the year projects, parties, and activities. To top it all off, our newborn was teething—which meant especially long nights for mom and dad.
A tidal wave of stress hit our family all at once. The intensity culminated in a day where everyone felt overwhelmed and our stress leaked.
- Jenny felt physically ill.
- Like a crazy person, I was rushing around, trying to accomplish as much as I possibly could.
- Our two older girls showed their stress by having ongoing bouts of conflict throughout the day.
- And our teething baby did exactly what teething baby’s do. She cried, a lot!
Now, it’s important to understand that Jenny and I are incredibly blessed. During a bad day, our girls argue (which really is not very bad in the scheme of things). On this particular day, our two girls quarreled repeatedly. Normally this would result in time-outs and early bedtimes. However, this day was different.
Before any consequences were given, Jenny and I collaborated and agreed to put our grace-based parenting skills to work. We acknowledged that everyone was stressed, and decided that our entire family needed a, “get out of jail free” card. Our goal was for our family to use this time together to recalibrate and reconnect.
Grace-Based Parenting and Stress
Stress causes people to do funny things. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM for short, there is a condition known as an adjustment disorder. In adjustment disorders, clinically significant impairment, such as increased anxiety, depression, and conflict, result from feeling overwhelmed by normal life events.
I bring this up because it ties into our conversation about grace and truth. Too much stress can lead a person to significant impairment. Therefore, learning to de-stress is incredibly important. Truth says, “You broke a rule and are in trouble.” When kids are already stressed, heavy truth only increases pressure. On the other hand, grace says, “Let’s relax, take a break from the fixing, and recalibrate.”
At first, Jenny and I talked about sending the girls to bed early. The only problem was we were just as much a part of the problem as our girls. Throughout the day, our attitude also stunk. So, on this particular day, Jenny and I decided a healthy dose of grace was needed for everyone.
Taking Grace-Based Action
Jenny and I called our family together. Our girls assumed it was because they were in trouble. But here is what we said. “We are all stressed, let’s relax together.” Our entire family then gathered in the living room for pizza, ice cream, and a movie. Afterward, we held a family meeting. We talked about our increase in life-stressors, and all agreed to be extra gracious with each other in the days ahead. In other words, this period of grace had a purpose. The goal was for everyone to recalibrate and start fresh.
The end result was that although the next couple of days were still hectic, we banded together, helped one another, and pulled through with positive attitudes. Normally, in the Jurchenko household, arguing will not get you pizza, ice cream, and a movie. Yet, Jenny and I also long for our home to be a place of grace. As parents, we need grace ourselves. Jenny and I want to instill the value of grace in our kids. While do-over days are not our norm, they are a powerful grace-based parenting tool, when used at the right time.
[Tweet “When life feels overwhelming, it’s time to slowdown, relax, and de-stress. #Grace”]
Three Keys to Family Do-Over Days:
If do-over days are a grace-based strategy you would like to implement in your home, here are three points to remember.
- Do-over days should begin with you and your spouse getting on the same page. Sometimes correction and truth are the most appropriate response to the circumstances. At other times, an extra dose of grace is needed. Deciding whether to respond with truth or grace should begin with a conversation. The most important thing is that you and your spouse work together and find an agreement.
- Begin your do-over day by communicating to the family that these are special circumstances. Make it clear that you are not rewarding bad behavior, but are choosing to extend grace. You may even want to share why you and your spouse decided that an extra dose of grace is appropriate.
- Have fun and relax. If you are conducting a do-over day, then let the past go. Don’t bring it up later. Do-over days are about leaving the negative behind and choosing to move forward with excitement and hope!
A Grace-Based Parenting Recap
John 1:14 says that Jesus came full of grace and truth. Finding the balance between these two—sometimes opposing forces—is not easy. It requires a willingness to step out of black-and-white thinking and into the gray-zone. Things would be so much easier if there was a formula showing parents when to focus on truth and when to home-in on grace. Unfortunately, no procedure exists. The best strategy for parenting with truth and grace is to lay aside the hard and fast rules and make parenting an ongoing conversation.
Truth involves discipline, correction, and instruction. It focuses on making sure kids know what they did was wrong and helps them feel bad about it. Grace focuses on the needs of the moment. It lets things go and is good when hard lessons have already been learned. Good parents know that there is a time for grace and a time for truth. Finding the right balance requires an abundance of positive parenting wisdom, and tis is what grace-based parenting is all about!
Everyone needs grace. Click To TweetGrace-Based Homes
Grace matters!
It’s been half-a-decade since I first published this post, and I still wholeheartedly believe in grace-based parenting. I also believe in grace-based marriages and in being a grace-based you.
The Grace-Based Marraige
Just as kids need grace, couples and individuals need grace too. Jenny tells me of one mom who will catch herself with a bad attitude, yell out, “Plot twist!” and move on with a smile. This is an example of grace at its best! In our marriage, Jenny and I will sometimes request redos. Have you ever said something stupid? I mean so stupid the moment the words left your mouth you wished you could take them back?
While why can’t you take those words back?
Having grown up in the 1990s, I love the original Nintendo Entertainment System. I used that infamous reset button a lot. When I had a bad game of Super Mario Brothers, no worries at all. I’d just hit the reset button and do it all over again. I think more marriages need a reset button like this.
Take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
Personal and marriage resets are not always appropriate. But they often are. When your loved one catches a mistake quickly and feels bad about it. Why not forgive, reset, and move on fast? Remember, according to relationship expert John Gottman, happy relationships have 5 positive interactions for every negative one. So instead of getting sucked into a downward spiral (weather personally, in marriage, or in your parenting), make use of your reset-button and get back to a happily connected norm!
Grace-Based Parenting Discussion Questions:
Now it’s your turn. Dive deeper into the topic of parenting with grace and truth with the following questions. You can leave an answer in the comments or use them for additional reflection and discussion.
- How does the idea of grace-based parenting resonate with you, and why?
- What are some ways you parent with truth?
- How do you show grace in your parenting?
- In what ways do you parent with truth and grace? How do you balance the two?
- Do you consider yourself a grace-based parent? Why or why not?
- Have you ever had a family do-over day? If so, what did this look like in your home?
- How are you at creating a grace-based marriage?
- Are you able to extend grace to yourself when it’s needed?
- Who do you know that needs an extra dose of grace right now, and what would it look like for you to freely give this?
I wish you and your family a week filled with joy, truth, and an extra dose of grace!
Two thoughts come to mind here:
One is that, although this is not the reason for extending grace, it is helpful for parents to remember that your kids will be learning from you how to extend grace – not only to others outside your family, but to you, particularly as they become adults and realize more and more your imperfections in raising them. A gracious parent receives grace from grown children in return. A harsh, clinical and “appropriate” parent – receives harsh, clinical and “appropriate” behavior from their children as they become teens and adults.
Second, this post brought to mind one of the most simple and fantastic depictions of grace I’ve seen in my life. My best friend’s son was about six years old (he’s now 25 and married), and it was a particularly hot and humid summer day. Little freckle-faced Sam struggled terribly with nerves as a child, often to the point of vomiting when he wasn’t sure what might happen in life. He came inside, his curly red hair matted to his forehead and his face and neck glistening with sweat. He approached his mom (Dib) tentatively:
“Um … mom … do you think that maybe … maybe I could have a Popsicle?”
Dib made a face as if contemplating the notion very seriously, one finger tapping the tight line of her lips. After a few moments, she replied, “You know what? I think you should have TWO Popsicles!”
I’ll never forget the smile that broke across little Sam’s face. In that simple act of grace, he felt like he was the most loved and important boy on the planet.
Sam didn’t grow up to be spoiled. Two Popsicles didn’t become a rule, a habit or an expectation. But this kind of “special thing,” mixed with wise direction and expectations, produced an adult Sam who is one of the coolest people I know, and who is making for an excellent husband (as well as future father to his own kids).
Erik, that is such a great story. As a parent, I’ll be looking for select opportunities to, “give my kids two Popsicles.” What a great way for a mom to show she cares, and to honor her son for taking the bold step of asking for what he wants.
“A gracious parent receives grace from grown children in return.” That is such a great line. It is good for us to remember that we are laying the foundation for our relationship with our grown kids, right now. As a parent, that’s not something that I think of often, and it’s important to keep in mind.
Jed,
I had a similar conversation about this topic recently, just not at the child/family level but it applies. During times when you need family do-overs we are all suffering. The parents should replicate the wounded healer. Jesus was a great example of the wounded healer. In Isaiah 53 He is called the suffering servant. Through his wounds we are healed. Dealing with others suffering can be painful especially the parent-child relationship. When we show empathy and compassion it brings healing to those that are hurting but also brings pain. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:7 that share in healing and suffering. Christ works through our wounds. We have to make our wounds available as a source of healing. To do this we must focus on hospitality towards others so that we are concentrating on their needs, building trust, confronting sin and addressing fallenness which is the source of suffering.
I really enjoyed this article. It helped reinforce and remind me of many things I have learned in a Human Services Counseling academics.
I love these Scriptures. Especially how you bring out that Christ as a the wounded healer and as someone who works through out wounds.
Thanks for the awesome insights and additions to the conversation!
Now, I understand better what Grace really means. For me, it’s one good way to apply it with parenting strategy especially if things are becoming hard among all members of the family. It’s a good thing you shared your story and letting us to be more aware on how Grace-based parenting can help in achieving a peaceful and good camaraderie at home. This will surely help a lot of parents.
Thanks for stopping by and for the encouraging words. It’s great to hear that the parenting story was helpful. Wishing you a happy and grace-filled day, and I hope that we have the opportunity to connect again soon.
Another great post here. I love the application of grace and truth in parenting. Many years ago, a friend introduced me to the idea of “do-overs.” Many times our kids already know they’ve made a mistake and they just need that chance to try again a little better. With a simple, “Let’s have a do-over,” they can often move into a new space of kindness or better behavior. However, I’ve never thought about having a full day do-over. It’s definitely true that stress mounts and we’ve all had those tough days. This is a great tool to have as a reset for those difficult days. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Marielle. I’m glad these parenting ideas were helpful. And thank you for sharing insights from your own family do-overs. I love this!
Jed, there is so much wisdom in your post! It’s tough to remember to give grace in our parenting, especially when the kids are pushing every button. With two boys in their teens and seventeen months apart in age, Hubs and I have had many opportunities to extend grace. Looking back now, there are times I wished I’d been better at this. I’ve become better with “do overs,” especially when we have a rocky beginning to a day. Thanks for reminding us of the importance of grace in our relationships and the beauty of a do-over.
Hey Jeanne, this is great. Parenting and relationships are definitely ongoing learning experiences. We’re still on the path of learning and growing too. Thanks for stopping by and adding your insights—so awesome!
Great article. In parenting an emotional teen I am finding myself needing do-over days often.
Thanks, Lauren. We have our first teenager this year and two more quickly on the way. I’m glad this positive parenting post was helpful.
Oh gosh, this so much brings to my thoughts the ungraceful way my daughter parents my grandbabies. She is so strict on them. They’re children for goodness sakes, not in a regime, not soldiers in the military like she used to be at one time. Saddens me. I don’t want them to be brats, I want them to obey the rules and grow up to be respectable adults but she is overdoing it. Thanks so much for linking up at our party – #FaithAndWorshipChristianWeekend 8.
Awww, Dee, that sounds tough. Thanks for stopping by and sharing parts of your story. And it sounds like you care about your kids and grandkids a lot!
As a golfer, my husband calls them Mulligans. But they are such an important part of grace-based parenting!
Yes, a mulligan is an excellent word for this! Donna, thank you for adding a new word to my growing list of grace-based parenting terms. When I talk about do-over days, it’s always nice to have different examples for families. We have a lot of golfers in MN who will resonate with this!
Such an in post, thanks for sharing #kcacold@_karendennis
Hey Karen, thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you found these grace-based parenting tips helpful!
Great post! Oh that we all could show the grace God has shown us. Thanks for linking up with us at the #FaithAndWorshipChristianWeekend 8
A very interesting post, thanks for sharing xx #KCACOLS
Thanks Dana. We’re glad you found these grace-based parenting tips interesting and helpful.
This is such an interesting post I think I naturally lean towards a grace based parenting approach. I love the idea of a family do over day, stress certainly does get to us all. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time.
Hey Jade. Thanks for stopping by and adding your thoughts. And to naturally lean toward grace-based parenting is awesome! What a great way to parent and to instill the value of grace into your home.
I’ve never heard of these phrase before but it makes lots of sense! #KCACOLS
This phrase is really new to me. Thanks for the explanation. Now I understand it and makes sense. I think I tent to have a grace-based parenting technique too. Thanks for sharing this post with us at #KCACOLS 🙂
(PS: Can I please ask if you could add the KCACOLS hashtag when you comment posts from this linky? It will mean a lot to us. Thanks so much 🙂 )
Hey Franca, thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you found these grace-based parenting ideas helpful. Yes, I’ll try to leave the hashtag next time I drop by. Thanks for what you do!