[A loony woman's post about her 13-year-old daughter.]

We also talked about her accountability to God alone and not me. I remember once crying and talking to her and telling her point blank that she is responsible for the choices she makes and that she will face judgment alone to either live for all eternity in God’s glorious presence, or burn in eternal suffering in the flames of hell but that I will be going to heaven with or without her.

I emphasized to her that she has to do what is right in the sight of God when Mommy is not around because there is a book of life recording her every action and not just her action, but her idle time, thoughts, everything! I still stress this to her, to do what is right in the sight of God, not what is right in the sight of our society or in my eyes, but what is right to God. I reward her for good grades and good behavior but I punish her and follow through when that’s warranted.

(Side note: recently she came home from Grandma's feeling extra sassy and after talking to her, she was still sassy as ever and I swatted her right on her butt. I got right in her face and told her she will respect me no matter how old or big she is and I told her why was going to stay in her room on punishment and, drumroll please........she actually THANKED ME AND SAID SHE DESERVED IT!) That was the only time any thing like that ever happened, but her admission is still a major deal to me.