This devotional is available in audio at KindlePodcast.com
http://talk.thelife.com/blogs/experience/kindle/2008/01/08/the-ultimate-parental-payoff/

As parents we all want to have our kids as friends when they leave home. What can we do to achieve this?

Sometimes it’s what you don’t do.
There are four types of parents that really screw up kids:
1. The impossible parent: the one you can never please
2. The invisible parent: the one you can never know because they’re not around
3. The inconsistent parent: the one that can’t be trusted – there is no stability
4. The indifferent parent: the one that can never be loved; the one that holds back their love

We may not have a perfect relationship with our kids, but we can have a good one. Here are four things to point you in the right direction.

1. Love deeply – your kids have to sense you love them
2. Lead by example – don’t say it, live it
3. Lock in some time together
4. Lavish your support – you need to be your kids’ greatest fans

Never withhold your approval, your forgiveness, or your acceptance. They’ve got to know you’re there for them. And when they have that sense, they’ll come back like a smorgasbord for more. Moms and dads, make the effort to be good parents, and when you do that, and your kids leave, they’ll want to come back for more.

For more information visit Marriage Uncensored at www.MarriageUncensored.com or FamilyLife Canada at www.familylifecanada.com