Focus on the Family Commentary
Oct 16, 2026 · 2 min · 2 segments
Do you think of your children as sugar cookies who all come out the same because you treat parenting like a recipe to follow? Jim Daly shares how to raise each of your children as individuals…
Jim DalyHost
And I'm surprised by how many parents think of their children like a sugar cookie, meaning it's a recipe.
You use the same ingredients every time, and all the cookies come out the same, right? Well, that strategy works well in the kitchen, but not in parenting.
Just because Lisa is capable of straight As, that doesn't mean you can expect her sister to achieve the same.
Core values like honesty or respectful behavior, well, they should be expected of everyone in the home, but that still leaves plenty of room to tailor your expectations to your child's personality.
Some kids thrive under rules and discipline, while others rebel at the slightest hint of discipline.
You have to know your kids, and Dr. Tim Elmore once told me that's why he likes to play chess, not checkers, with his children.
And I'm surprised by how many parents think of their children like a sugar cookie, meaning it's a recipe.
You use the same ingredients every time, and all the cookies come out the same, right? Well, that strategy works well in the kitchen, but not in parenting.
Just because Lisa is capable of straight As, that doesn't mean you can expect her sister to achieve the same.
Core values like honesty or respectful behavior, well, they should be expected of everyone in the home, but that still leaves plenty of room to tailor your expectations to your child's personality.
Some kids thrive under rules and discipline, while others rebel at the slightest hint of discipline.
You have to know your kids, and Dr. Tim Elmore once told me that's why he likes to play chess, not checkers, with his children.
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