Following through: becoming the parent your kids can trust

Have you ever promised your child a consequence and then struggled to follow through with it? You’re not alone. I’ve heard so many moms say, “I just have such a hard time following through.” And honestly, I get it. We don’t like being “that” parent. We don’t enjoy the conflict, the tears, or the extra energy it takes to enforce something when we’re already stretched thin.

But in my quiet time with the Lord this week, He gave me such a gentle reminder about this. As I was praising Him and reflecting on His goodness, I found myself saying, “God, I trust You with my whole being.” And then I paused—why do I trust Him?

The answer came quickly: because He keeps His word.

Scripture tells us over and over that God is faithful. If He says it, He will do it. Every prophecy about Jesus was fulfilled perfectly, every promise kept in detail. God’s word never returns void. He follows through.

And if we’re called to parent the way God parents us, then part of that means being people of our word, too. When we say we’ll do something, we need to do it. When we set a consequence, we need to follow through—because that’s what makes us trustworthy.

Our kids learn to trust God through how they experience trust in us. When they see that Mom and Dad always mean what they say, they begin to believe that God does too. That’s how trust is built—not through leniency or letting things slide, but through consistent follow-through, even when it’s hard.

I know those moments when you’re exhausted, and every part of you just wants to skip the fight or move on. But when you choose to follow through, you’re doing more than enforcing a rule—you’re shaping your child’s understanding of integrity, consistency, and love.

So when parenting feels heavy or inconvenient, remember this: you’re not just raising obedient kids—you’re building faithful hearts. Be the trustworthy parent your child can believe. Keep your word, even when it’s hard. Because that’s exactly what God does for us—and it’s how we reflect His heart at home.