Written by missionary and author Dr. Paul Schlehlein. Reposted from Between Two Cultures.
I recently asked these questions to my wife. It spurred excellent conversation. If a husband genuinely wants to know his wife’s thoughts on these questions, he’ll discover many things about her he never knew before.
- Are you glad we had children when we did, or would different timing had been better?
- Are you happy with the number of children we have, or do you wish we had more or less?
- What are two practical things I can do to make your job as a mother easier and more enjoyable?
- Am I doing a good job teaching biblical doctrine (“what the Bible says”) and character (“how do I do this”) to the children?
- What is one way you think I manage the children well and one way I need to manage them better?
- Do you think I treat you as my chief confidant and advisor when raising the kids, welcoming your suggestions and advice?
- Do you think I give you freedom and help you to spread your wings as you train the children, or do you think I hold you back?
- Do you think our children are happy, or do you think I exasperate them and provoke them to wrath?
- Am I too optimistic and naive with the kids, thinking they’re little angels, or too pessimistic, thinking they’re demons incarnate?
- Do you think I’m doing a good job of creating warm, fun memories with the kids, or am I too firm and glum?
- Are there some ways you think I am hypocritical with the kids?
- Do I have a good balance of showing them love with affection and words, or am I too negative?
- Have I created a home that is safe from mockery and ridicule and where the children are free to make mistakes?
- Have I made the rules in our home clear or is there confusion among the children as to what I expect?
- How would you say I need better balance when it comes to disciplining the kids?
- What are two practical ways I can make rules in the home that are more clear and more easily attainable?
- Do you think I am quick to ask forgiveness from the children when I have sinned, or am I reluctant?
- Am I a good listener with the children, spending adequate time learning their likes and dislikes?
- When it comes to caring for the children, how would you fill in the blank? “Often I’ve thought, ‘I wish my husband would do ____ better.’”
- At my 75th birthday party, what do you think I will be most glad I did when it comes to training the children? The biggest regret?