Mom (a.k.a. Royal Advisor) by Shelia Walsh

If you are a parent raising children in this crazy world we live in, you know the frustrations of trying to teach them to be as polite and well behaved as possible. “Please” and “thank you” seems to have completely disappeared from many in this generation’s vocabulary and has been replaced with “now” and my personal favorite, “whatever”. Specifically, raising little girls and encouraging them to grow with grace, dignity and civility seems to come with its own set of unique hurdles and road blocks. If you look at some of the role models our pop-culture holds up and how out of control their lives often are is it even possible for mothers to reach inside their little ladies’ dreamy heads to erase these unholy images and replace them with a true desire to be God’s Little Princess?

The answer is undeniably YES! You have been fully equipped to take on this challenge! Consider yourself her ‘royal advisor’. Royally commissioned and inspired by God to protect, teach and discipline this precious emotional gift from heaven, it is your responsibility to help her understand what it really means to demonstrate Christ-like behavior and love. Beyond just “Yes, ma’am” and “No, sir”, a little girl’s manners and etiquette is the perfect way to practice Jesus’ urging to “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Mathew 7:12).

Because Christ also taught us that we would be known by our ‘fruit’, our outward conduct is the world’s window into our very soul and the first glimpse many may see of Jesus. Tween girls today are constantly surrounded by the blasé spirit of “anything goes”. Even amongst elementary school-aged girls, skirts are getting shorter, heels are getting higher and attitudes are becoming more and more disrespectful. However, there is good news! As her mother (aka ‘royal advisor’), research has shown that you have the greatest influence on her life and can be that voice of reason and the guiding light towards helping her realize as Christians, we have been called to a higher standard.

Even though it may seem a thing of the past, etiquette isn’t old fashioned! From teaching how to have a Godly presence online, to showing her how to keep and make the right friends; and from showing her how to embrace her inner beauty to helping her understand the value of Godly modesty, you have a lot of very relevant and important life lessons to instill. Studies have shown that teaching your daughter these steadfast truths at an early age will allow her to become a more successful and well-adjusted adult. Are you feeling the pressure yet? Relax! You already have the handbook on how to successfully raise up your little princess right. God’s Word!

The ultimate royal guide, let your Bible, Jesus’ example and God’s Holy Spirit work to lighten your pathway in the dark. But realize too, that it is your example she will see and absorb on a daily basis. You must be the woman King Solomon spoke of in Proverbs 31:10; “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”

True, raising God’s Little Princess in a world full of competing secular standards won’t be easy. You and your sweet pea may argue or disagree. You may stumble and fall. But rest in this sweet promise…As God’s Princess, it isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being perfectly loved! Don’t forget, you may have been appointed her highness’ royal advisor, but you are still God’s Little Princess too!