Admittedly, I’m below being considered as “new” when it comes to using AI for fast answers to questions that pop into my head. I’ve tested its abilities and haven’t had any too far fetched responses.  Take for instance, during a day where I was curious about how AI worked, I typed in “create a strength training routine for a female age 72”. Low and behold the results that filled my screen were quite impressive. Now, the real question is “have I applied the suggestions into my desire to exercise?” Not, 100%, but that’s another day, another story.

Today, after reading some scripture, making some notes in my journal and praying for our children, grandchildren in school, and their teachers, my thoughts turned to how grateful I am that God is a good, good father. I found out, once again, by asking through my search engine for scriptures on the topic, that at least 30 references in the Bible describe Him as such. One of my favorites is found in 1 John 3: 1 “See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know Him.”

Good parenting requires a lot and doesn’t guarantee bragging rights or shameful admissions.  Too much discipline and a child may rebel. Not enough love and a child may turn to the wrong people or things to find acceptance and value….”looking for love in all the wrong places….” (Johnny Lee’s song lyrics)

As my curiosity continued to build,  I asked AI to create a list of parenting terms using the example “Lawnmower Parent”. Quickly, a list popped up showing me 16 different titles given to how a person parents. “Helicopter Parent” was at the top and “Slow Parenting” was at the bottom. The Helicopter parent closely monitors a child’s movement and intervenes frequently, contrasting sharply to the Slower style which keeps a child’s schedule loose and less hurried. As I glanced at other terms in the list I looked for the ones that would best describe my own parents as they guided me to adulthood. It didn’t take long to realize that I was raised under two styles, “Free Range” and “Gentle Parenting”. Don’t get me wrong, my mom or dad didn’t open the door every day and kick me out to fend for myself until it was time to come back home. Rather, I was free to roam our neighborhood to play with countless friends, ride bikes up and down our city block, and come home when I knew it was lunch or supper time. Street lights clicking on was our signal “time to go home”.

My dad fit the description of being a “gentle” father. He exhibited qualities such as empathy, respect, connecting with me and my brothers, setting reasonable boundaries to protect us. Physical punishment was not his norm, nor did he intimidate us with harsh words. In turn, my brothers and I loved and respected our parents. Our boundaries were verbal requests and a warning if needed. Mom and Dad trusted that we would be where we’d said we’d be…the park, a friend’s house, sports field for a game. Our promise to obey was the location indicator as we moved through our day. In the 50s and 60s there was no GPS signal for mom to watch our every movement. Now, parents have smartphones with apps that allow frequent–if not constant–surveillance of children. Whether this technology is good or bad, well, I’ll leave it up to you to form an opinion.

I’m one to exercise caution catching myself saying “Boy, if only we could return to the good ole days…” yet, I admit a level of sadness creeps in when I compare my childhood to what I observe now. No matter the season or weather, my neighborhood had over 40 kids outside. We rode bikes. Played make believe games. Arranged snowball fights or pickup games on empty lots behind the row of homes on Zauel Street. Our neighborhood park was overrun with kids of all ages to engage in games or play on playground equipment. 

Today, I seldom see kids riding bikes. Often, until most recently with the renovation of our community park, it’s been empty and quiet. Factor in, too, that the majority of homes today are now cooled with air conditioning, most likely keeping us inside rather than “suffering” under the heat of the day.

Yup, AI says there’s 16 different parenting styles. We aren’t given any guarantees with what kind of adults we’ll raise. We do our best. By turning to God who is a good, good father we are offered the opportunity to declare “Joyful are those you discipline, Lord, those You teach with your instructions.” (Psalm 94: 12)

How does God discipline? With boundaries to guide and protect us while allowing freedom. How does He teach? By encouraging us to read scripture so we can be a person of great love, respect, and joy. Does He need GPS to keep track of us? Not the kind we might imagine. He has the Holy Spirit to keep a faithful eye on every one of us.

I think that’s a pretty good tracking system!