She Is...A Cartographer
Do you know what a cartographer is?! It is a person who makes maps … in other words … a mom is excellent and experienced at setting boundaries for her children.
If you don’t set boundaries for your children, no one else will! It’s as simple as that! Setting boundaries may initially seem difficult, but in the long haul of mothering, it will make your life so much easier, indeed!
You must set boundaries about the way your children dress and they way that they talk; you must set boundaries concerning who they are allowed to hang out with, what they watch on TV, what sites they are allowed to visit on the computer and what kind of music they listen to.
You must not only be an excellent cartographer – but you must be a vigilant cartographer! It is the job that never ends!!
You must set boundaries not only with your words but also with your life. Do not use words or phrases that are off limits for your children. Do not watch movies or listen to music that is out of bounds for your children.
As a vigilant and excellent cartographer, you must also watch for enemy forces that may be attacking certain boundaries that you have set for your family. As the one in charge of those boundaries, you must be quick to usher in peace to those areas of their lives.
“I think that you are struggling with your sister. What can I do to help your relationship with her? You know, the bottom line is, you must be kind all the time.”
“I have heard you speak disrespectfully about that teacher. I know that biology is not your favorite subject but we still must respect those in authority so let’s figure out a way that you can bless this teacher.”
Heart boundaries are just as important as boundaries that impact daily choices concerning how your children are allowed to speak, dress, be entertained and who their friends are. You must be watching attentively for weeds that are growing in their young hearts and then remove them before they have a chance to take root and grow out of control.
Someday your children will set their own boundaries for their own lives. If you have trained them well, their personal boundaries will not be very different from the ones that you have set.
She is … an expert cartographer!
