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IMPERFECT PARENTING
Jonathan McKee

Issue 33-JANUARY 2015

The KEY RING is a monthly publication by the Kampala Baptist Church Media
Team that seeks to provide an avenue where men and women can share
knowledge and understanding of the word of God, experiences and encourage
one another as the older perform the act of paralambano to the younger.

relate to perfect people.

My message to parents is, God can help imperfect people love their kids perfectly! If
youve messed up, thats okay. Lets talk about how to let God work through us to love
our kids, spend time with them and build lasting values.

Our prayer is that the Lord will speak to you through this publication.

4. What impact can parenting or the absence of it have on a person?

Ive definitely seen the absence of parenting, having been in youth ministry for 20
years. Ive seen kids whose dad was never there. Ive seen kids waiting by the front
window on their birthday hoping their dad would show up only to be disappointed.
Ive seen kids raised by grandparents because Mom is a drug addict and they dont
even know their dad.
Sadly, the absence of mom and dad can create a huge void. Young ladies often turn to
promiscuity for affirmation because they never had a man in their life who told them
they were beautiful. I wish it werent true, but research reveals this to be all too
common. When dad isnt there, many young girls seek love and attention from other
males. The absence of mom is painful as well. Moms provide a nurturing role that is
key to a childs development.
This past year I read quite a bit of research about the importance of a safe home for
children. By safe, I dont mean safe from war or violence. I mean a safe place of love
and nurture. Funny, but kids who grow up in a home where mom and dad love each
other have a better chance of succeeding in school than kids who grow up in a volatile
home. This year I read an article titled, Want Your Kid To Go to Harvard? Then Love
Your Wife. The point of the article was that strong marriages create a safe place
where kids can thrive, because they dont have to worry about mom leaving dad or
vice versa. Parents have a huge impact on their kids. Much more than they think.

1.Briefly describe who Jonathan Mackee is

and what he does?
After almost 10 years of helping youth workers, we began to notice a huge need to help
parents as well. Youth workers might see
kids for a few hours a week, but parents are
with their kids every day, not to mention,
most research reveals that parents have the
biggest impact on their kids. We didnt want
to ignore this key influence in the lives of
young people, so a few years ago, we began
a sister ministry called The Source for
Parents, with a free website for parents at
theSource4Parents.com.
This ministry was a natural shift for our
ministry because my own three kids had
grown up and were teenagers. I was able to
combine my parenting experience with the
youth culture research I was doing each day
and come up with some needed help and
advice for parents.
Jonathan McKee
So that is our focus now. Anyone who has an
impact on young people we want to make their job easier and provide them help.

God can help imperfect people

love their kids perfectly!

2.In your opinion is there a difference between motherhood/Fatherhood and

parenting?
If there is, its probably just semantic. Its wording. For example. In America there are a
lot of single parents. Single moms might use the term mom or single mom. Most
probably wouldnt even refer to motherhood. That doesnt mean she doesnt believe
in motherhood she just calls it something else.
I dont get caught up in titles. Anyone who is raising a kid, whether they are Auntie,
Grandma, Grandpa, Single Mom, Single Dad whoever I want to give them the help
they need.
Some might argue that only the biological father is the real father. But thats an insult
to the many adopted parents, step moms, step dads, grandparents, etc. who assume
that parenting role and do a good job. Sure, it would be nice if the biological dad or mom
took on that role. But blood doesnt make you a dad. Love and nurturing does.
3. You have authored a book titled Imperfect Parenting. What led you to that title?
Actually, the title of the book is Candid Confessions of an Imperfect Parent. I make that
clarification, because I wouldnt title a book, Imperfect Parenting. That would imply
that we are supposed to be imperfect. Im not telling you to try to be imperfect.
My title is trying to communicate, From one imperfect parent to another, heres some
help. I think my readers like that, because none of them are perfect, and they would
probably prefer to hear from a Dad who doesnt always respond perfectly. Its hard to

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Jonathan McKee and his family

5. God is the perfect standard for parenting and his WORD says we are all fallen men.
What is the hope for the parent?
I think its good when a child sees our imperfections. It shows them that we need God
as much as they do. No, Im not saying we should be a drunk, lazy slob. We shouldnt
celebrate sinfulness. But when we do mess upand we all dowe shouldnt try to
cover it up. We should use it as a teaching tool.
For example, if we lose our temper, it is good for us to apologize and say, Sorry, I lost
my temper. We can even ask our kids. What would have been a better way for me to
respond? How can I prevent this in the future? What does Gods word say about
anger? That way the family learns together, and next time a Boda Boda cuts in front of
you and scratches your car, you might respond the way you discussed as a family. Then
they will witness your victory, just as they witnessed your failures.
Its good for us to show our family that we are learning and growing. God loves us
despite our mistakes, and when we love Him, we will allow Him to slowly change us to
be more like Him and yell at fewer Boda Boda drivers each year!! Thats only through
Gods power, not ours.

RHODA

BRENDA

SANDRA

Nakalembe

Turakira

Namyalo

Drop us an email at kbcmediateam@gmail.com Check out our blog at kbcmen.blogspot.com for more or visit the church website at www.kbcuganda.org