Joey & Carla Link
September 2, 2026
Are You Still Calling Timeouts?
How many times do you have to say something or repeat an instruction to your kids before they will listen and do what you asked them to do?
It’s football season and coaches don’t have time to teach a player over and over how to play a position or keep telling them where they are supposed to be on each play. Once they have taught their players, they expect them to remember what they have learned and follow through.
The same is true for parents as we train our children. Once we have spent time training them and they know our family rules and expectations, we expect them to follow them. Coming when we call them, respecting their teachers at school, getting along with their siblings, etc.
During football training camp, coaches put players through a lot of hard work, practice, and conditioning. They are teaching their players to listen and follow instructions. If the players won’t obey their coaches, the coaches can’t trust them to do what they have been taught when they are in the game.
As the season progresses and the players demonstrate that they can follow instructions, the relationship begins to shift from constant training to trust. The coach can focus more on coaching and guiding the players because they have learned to listen and do what they have been taught.
Mom and Dad, are you still in the obedience-training phase of parenting? Have you reached the point where you can trust your kids to follow through when you give them an instruction, or are you still unsure whether they will actually do what you ask?
Ideally, the foundation of obedience should be established during the early years so that, as your children grow, you can move more into the role of a coach, encouraging, guiding, and training them in how they should live. Your goal is to teach them how to make wise decisions and then gradually give them the freedom to make those decisions on their own.
In football, coaches can only call three timeouts in each half to stop the game and instruct their players. Are you having to call more timeouts than that?
If so, it may be time to put your child back through obedience training. Sometimes children need a reset. They may need to be reminded of the expectations, given additional practice, and shown that there are consequences when they choose not to follow through. The goal is to get them back to a place where you can trust them to do what you’ve taught them, so you can get back to coaching rather than constantly correcting.
And remember, timeouts for instruction and training aren’t bad. Even as adults, we sometimes need to stop, ask questions, and get help when we’re trying to figure things out. A good coach would much rather have a player come to them and ask, “What am I supposed to do?” than have that player guess and play the game incorrectly. The same is true for our kids.
Are your children comfortable coming to you when they aren’t sure how to handle a situation? Do they ask for your help, direction, or advice when they don’t know what to do?A good coach is approachable. Players should feel comfortable asking questions and seeking help when they need it. As parents, we want our children to know that we are approachable and they can come to us, too.
“A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.”
Proverbs 13:1
| ON SALE! |
| Understanding Character Training Mom’s Notes MP3 & PDF(2 Part Series) “How do I know I have gotten to the heart of my child?” is a frequent question asked us by parents. This 2-part series lays the foundation for understanding character training and looks at how Godly character is developed in one’s children. Part 1 – Laying the FoundationPart 2 – Getting to the Heart of Your Child Understanding Character Training Use code CT2026 at checkout by September 6th, 2026 for $4 off the 2 Part Series |
Parenting Made Practical Podcast
Building Character In Your Kids
Satan is going to use someone or something to try and influence your kids because he wants to write on their hearts what his character is, and what he wants their character to be. It’s your job to beat Satan to it by taking the time to write God’s character on their hearts instead. This is a process that takes years. Satan delights when he wins and God loses the character of an adult, teen or child. Whose side do you want your kids to be on, Satan’s or God’s?
Click the title or search Parenting Made Practical in your favorite podcast app to listen!