How to Give Hope for Marriage to Kids

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A Happy Marriage: Dream or Reality?

As a teenager, I thought a ton about marriage. I dreamed of the day that I would be happily married to my prince charming, but deep down there was always that little voice of doubt that crept in. I longed for assurance that marriage would bring joy and happiness. However, television didn’t always depict marriage as the trusting, fun, happy adventure that I had dreams of living someday. Moreover, the relationships that I observed around me didn’t always reflect that dream.

I had heard a lot about the “realities” of marriage, but there was still that dreamer in me that needed to look forward to a real live adventure with a man who would love me and enjoy my company.

It is easy to see the hardships and disappointments in life. What I needed was to hear and see some of the blessings of marriage.

Offering Hope for Marriage to Our Kids

I believe that kids need the hope of a great future. By the time a child becomes a teenager, they have probably seen and experienced a few disappointments and realities of life.

There is no doubt that bad times come, but, as a dreaming teenager,  I needed the hope that even in the bad times, love would last and joy could and would return. Our kids need to know and see that, too.

Often as adults, I think we tend to forget that our kids are measuring their future marriages in relation to our marriage. Many times, that is their only view of reality. They don’t know what is going on in other people’s households unless they live with them.

Just as we need to turn struggle into strength, we need to demonstrate joy.

Sharing the Fun and Joy as Well as the Trials of Life

With the hustle and bustle and the stress of life, our kids may get the idea that life as an adult is no fun at all. Things may really be great between us as parents, but the kids need more than just what we say. They need to SEE us outwardly respecting and loving one another, having fun together,  and placing one another above the other. They need to see that we are still “awake” to the romance and fun in each other.

As parents, in my opinion, it is our job and opportunity to teach them that marriage has its hardships, just like most everything worth having in life, but it is one of the most fun, exciting blessings that we can ever have.

“Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing.” (Proverbs 18:22)

A Big Question with Surprising Answers

I asked a question today that made all 7 of my kids stop and listen. Now, that is some kind of question, I must say! I was in a playful frame of mind and asked Scott, “What made you fall in love with me?”

He looked a little embarrassed, so I shared why I fell in love with him first.

The kids were all staring at us in awe. One of the kids blurted out, “I bet it was his truck.”

I responded, “No, it was his boots!”

Then I honestly spoke words that my kids need to hear about their dad (giving them hope that someone will also fall in love with them and STAY in love with them).

I told Scott that my love for him grew as I began to understand his love for me. He loved me so much that I couldn’t resist loving him back. Granted, it took me a few years to allow myself to love him back, but his persistence and patience payed off for him and me.

I continued that he was thoughtful, funny, Godly, manly, extremely smart, a gifted artist (in my mind anyone who could “see” and do artwork like Scott had to have a really amazing soul), persistent, and not afraid to stand alone. Additionally, I knew that he would be a great leader for me.

I always asked myself while dating, “Would I want to become like this man?” If the answer was “yes” then I knew I could trust him and allow him to lead me.

My Husband’s Turn to Answer

Playfully, I threw the ball back in Scott’s court. I still wanted him to answer my very pointed question about love and marriage. 

The kids and I were all sitting on pins and needles, waiting for his response. Scott is much more reserved than I am, but to my surprise, he answered quickly. 

Scott said he loved that there is more to me than meets the eye! He added lovingly that I had depth unlike anyone he had known, was Godly, a deep thinker, energetic, a DREAMER, and that I was set on seeing my dreams through.

I learned something new: I hadn’t known that he appreciated my dreams and ambitions for the future. That was exciting to hear today.

Sharing Our Love for One Another with Our Kids

This verbal testament to one another means a lot to the kids. I could tell they were quite content with these answers. Maybe more important, they see us demonstrate our love each other each day of our marriage.

Kids need to see their parents having fun together (no matter how hard things are – life does have a way of bringing troubles) and supporting one another’s dreams and hopes.

“For the joy of the Lord is your strength..” Nehemiah 8:9 – If the joy of the Lord is my strength, than surely the joy of the parents brings strength to our children.

I’ll end on that note.

 

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13 Comments

    1. I think a lot of teenagers think like that, especially romantic types, but it can be scary to think of a lifetime -hoping you marry the right man!

  1. kamayflemens says:

    You really made my day. We live in such a disposable world these days. If it breaks, go out and buy a new one. My husband and I have been going strong for 22 years. We put it in our minds that if it breaks, we fix it. In all aspects of our lives. My daughter loves to hear the story “Of Us” and asks me to tell her how daddy and mommy fell in love often. I joyfully tell her.

    1. Don’t you just love that. I love that you get to re-live those beginning romantic days. Romance is different now and better than that, but there is something to be said for that first glimmer of love in our lives. I am so glad to get this comment. You have made my day!!!! We all work through trials and have outside trials, but if it’s broken, fix it. I love that you said that.

  2. Its wonderful when both spouses are loving and empathetic, compassionate and caring, the reality these days though is that one person might be these things and the other not, or abusive, then what? If only one applies Bible principles it can be extremely hard and sometimes after decades of trying, you hand in the towel not because you want to, but, because there is no future in a toxic relationship. ( “You men be loving your wives just as the Christ loved the congregation” ) clearly hitting, strangle holds and abusive speech fall outside of this scripture. That is some people’s reality, I look back at my Ex, and wonder if he has aspergers syndrome or some other disorder. Anyway, good news is I have found the most wonderful man who treats me with respect and love and honors me as I do him.
    Sometimes we just marry the wrong person first time around.

    1. Elaine, I am so happy that you are happy now. No doubt at all that bad things happen to good people. I have been blessed beyond measure in my marriage, but believe me, I know that some people are living a nightmare. I hope your life is blessed from now on unmeasurably!!! Thanks for your comment.

  3. Stacy, thanks for this. Really appreciate your insight! Very discerning

    1. Thanks Jay! I appreciate that. Marriage is the best thing that I have ever done! I want my kids to hope for that too.

  4. From a man’s perspective these were also spot on comments. In fact, my wife and I have three children, 10 and rwin 18 months. We learned with our 10 year old mistakes we were not going to make with them and to try an correct things with him. We have made a good decision for my wife to stay home with these kids, for her to be their nurturor and imparting of life. IT may be tight but the benefits to those kids and our family cannot have a price put on it.

    1. I just love that, James. I love it when a man and woman come together to make deliberate decisions that will determine the outcome of the children. What a blessing this is for me to read! Keep up the great work! You are right; you can’t put a price on the benefits of loving parents living deliberately in the raising of children.

  5. i wish i will find the half of me who had the perspective for me as you to your husband..
    this post is awesome, learn someting new and i’m totally agree with it, well perhaps if i was a kid thou…
    as a grown up single man, it’s made me feeling horrible because my parents was happily married…
    they try asking each other “are you comfort?” even in a first class flight and it’s kinda disgusting,lol
    maybe i’m jealous for them and you too my friend…
    ps: i’m apericiate and had a passion about food and i’m dating the girl with the opposite of me, she’s a kinda girl who put a blob of instant mustard and tomato ketchup over 100 USD worth of A5 Matsusaka beef steak and then set aside the shaved white truffle mushrooms, but i’m lovin her for that, am i in trouble ?

  6. Alright Stacy, this is probably my favorite post you’ve done! 🙂 I love knowing people’s backstories and knowing you and Scott for so long made this one extra special. Love you guys!

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