Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise.

Ephesians 6:1-2

I believe anyone could argue that our families are under attack and there is a lot of change going on all around us. How do we hold the line as moms? What does hold the line even mean? Hold the line means to maintain and preserve a position against attack, opposition or change. Think of a football team lining up on the field. The ball is hiked and the defense is holding the line, trying not to let the offense break through. Well, that is our job as a mom. We need to hold the line and not allow the enemy to break through. Can it be done? Yes, but it takes guts, strength, and determination. 

One way that you can hold the line in motherhood is to BE the Parent. Children can make you second-guess your decisions, but at the end of the day, one thing you will always have on your children is your age and life experience. Don’t discount that one thing. There is a natural hierarchy in parenting: you are the parent, the authority, and the one that has to make the hard calls at times. Sometimes, it means you are not the one that everyone likes, but it is your job. 

God is on your side. In Ephesians 6:1-3 Paul writes, “Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise- so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 

Be the parent is not being your child’s friend. Your child has lots of friends but only one mom. You need to be the wise person in your child’s life; the one who tells them the truth instead of what they want to hear. Friends tell each other what they want to hear, but a parent should be the experienced and authoritative voice, which gives wise counsel. Your child needs this voice in their life, and they will be lost if you do not give it.