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 Too many times I am around parents who cannot see what is in front of them. I am not talking about vision problems; I am referring to their inability to see their children for who they are and what they need. Don’t consider me too critical. I recognize most moms and dads truly love their children and I applaud them for being devoted to them. What I am most concerned about is that parents seem bound to expectations and needs that belong to them, not their children.
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 I recently had the pleasure of visiting some friends in Atlanta who have three children. Their ages were 3, 5, and 8. All of them were so precious and delightful to be around.
When it came time for dinner, the father asked who wanted to pray. The three year old raised his hand. We all bowed our heads and this little guy said volumes in his prayer.
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 For the last several days we have heard about the octuplets that were born in California. This is a mom who had six other children at home and now finds herself in a situation where she is a single mom of fourteen.
People all over the country are outraged at her and are becoming angry that she has intentionally birthed this many children. The media, professionals, and other mothers are voicing their bewilderment over why and how a woman could put so many children in jeopardy.
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 I was raised to be seen and not heard. I was an only child for a long time so I spent a lot of time with adults. It was easier for my parents to take me with them than to find a baby-sitter. As a result, I learned to listen and act appropriately. The consequences were not pretty if I didn't obey.
When I became a mom, I wanted people to enjoy the presence of my children instead of dread it. That meant I would have to take the time and energy to consistently communicate my expectations of how I wanted them to conduct themselves. There were many times I found a corner for Taylor to stand in at a restaurant in order to follow through on the expectation I had set for him.
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I know this sounds odd but here is my question: What do you expect from your kids? Over the years it has been confirmed again and again that children rise to whatever level of expectation we have of them. I know it sounds simple and maybe even boring to contemplate but I want to challenge you to think on this for a while.
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 Every once and a while something will frost my flakes and I have to say something. Well, first time obedience is that subject today. Whether I am in the grocery store, with a group of families, or simply having dinner at a restaurant, the issue of children obeying their parents is an issue.
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