In Episode 007 of "Raising Lions with Pastor Joseph", we talk about the reality that parenting has a clock on it. Between work, phones, packed schedules, and everyday responsibilities, it is easy to miss the season your children are in. But you do not only lose the years to enjoy them—you can also lose the years to train them. Pastor Joseph discusses the importance of being present, making memories, and slowing down, while also establishing boundaries, consequences, and consistent enforcement early. The message is simple: "enjoy them while you have them, and train them while you have them. You don’t get these years back."
Parenting has a clock on it. You do not get the years back to enjoy your children, and you do not get the years back to train them. Be present, make memories, establish boundaries, and do the hard work while you still have the opportunity.
Childhood moves faster than parents realize.
Many “last times” happen without us knowing they are the last.
Do not spend every season wishing for the next one.
You can make more money, but you cannot make your child six years old again.
Phones, work, schedules, sports, and constant activity can steal attention.
Children know the difference between being heard and being listened to.
Families can be busy together without actually being connected.
Ask: “Am I building a childhood, or just managing a schedule?”
Every stage has frustrations, but every stage passes.
Ordinary moments often become the memories children carry.
More activities and more stuff do not necessarily mean a better childhood.
Presence often matters more than expensive experiences.
Loving childhood does not mean removing boundaries.
Children can have fun, make memories, and still be expected to obey.
“They’re little” should not become an excuse for avoiding correction.
Small behaviors can become larger problems if consistently tolerated.
It is harder to establish at fifteen what should have been normal at five.
Delayed parenting often means undoing years of reinforced behavior.
Your child may be unhappy with boundaries, but unhappiness does not mean the boundary is wrong.
If you have waited too long, start now rather than waiting another year.
Home should contain both relationship and responsibility.
Children need laughter and limits.
They need affection and correction.
They need memories and maturity.
Do not judge every parenting decision by whether your child appreciates it today.
“You don’t get these years back.”
“You can lose the years to enjoy them, and you can lose the years to train them.”
“Are we building a childhood, or are we just managing a schedule?”
“You can make more money. You cannot make your child six years old again.”
“Enjoy them while they’re little. Train them while they’re little too.”
“Easy now can become very hard later.”
“Hard now. Ready later.”
“Parent the season you’re in.”
“Enjoy the season—and use the season.”
“Raise them while you have them.”
This week:
Put the phone down during intentional family time.
Create one unscheduled block of time together.
Eat at least one meal without screens.
Identify one boundary that needs to be reinforced.
Follow through on one consequence without negotiating.
Do something simple with your child that creates connection.
Ask yourself: What am I doing today that I will be glad I did when they are grown?
Your job is not to keep your children little forever. It is to love them deeply, train them faithfully, and prepare them to stand on their own.
Raise them ready. Hard now. Ready later.