Accountability

Our culture often sees accountability as a negative thing. However, accountability isn’t just about trying to avoid wrong, it’s about getting help. Help to do what you should do, what you can do, and what you are fully capable of doing. As parents, our version of accountability with our children is holding them capable of what God created them for. This changes our entire outlook on accountability.

Accountability is hard. It’s an area we often let slip because we are weary and worn as parents. And to be honest, it doesn’t sound fun. We have to press in over and over. We can’t give up. But learning to obey God’s commands and helping our children do the same frees us to live fully in God, not box us in.

Accountability helps us sharpen our faith, not squash it. We are called to help sharpen each other (Proverbs 27), pray with and for each other (James 5), urge one another to walk worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4), and restore one another when we fall (Galatians 6). We cannot do those things without accountability. Holding our children capable will spur them on to a full life in Christ. Accountability is a crucial aspect to discipling our children, and we must not let it slide. Let’s hold ourselves and our kids capable of what God has created us for.

Think of a way your kids can hold you accountable today. Maybe it’s drinking enough water or finishing a task you’ve put off for too long. Give them permission to gently remind you of your capabilities and discuss how you can hold one another capable this week.

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Accountability between parents and kids should always lead to restoration instead of judgment.