Tenderness in Parenting

I read this article today, and I wanted to share it. I really needed it, and it renewed my conviction to be a better parent. It's definitely something I will re-read when I feel my abilities to parent kindly begin to wane. I realize that not all on this board are Christian, but I think the point of the article is still well made:

When I think of fathers, I think of leadership. I found a gem for fathers in Genesis the other day. Look at these two verses:

And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children [are] tender, and the flocks and herds with young [are] with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.

Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir (Genesis 33:13–14).

“The children are tender ... lead on softly ... and the children be able to endure ...”

Oh, what challenges we have as parents to “lead on softly” — not with harshness or unreasonable demands or unrighteous dominion, but softly.

[Edited for fair use. Please don't quote entire articles, folks; you'll get me into trouble. :)--Lynn]