So you want to bring your children up in God’s ways so that they will follow Him. Here are some suggestions for ways you can help achieve this.
1. Pray for and with your child. Let them see the reality of your faith as you turn to the Lord in prayer when problems or hard times come, or just for God’s help with decisions each day. Encourage them by your example to praise God for the blessings of life every day.
2. As you pray for your children, pray for those they will grow up to marry. From the time they were little, we prayed or God’s choice of the right Christian marriage partner for each of our children
3. Read the bible to them when they are young and with them as they grow older. Many families I know use time at the dinner table to read God’s Word and to pray. This time didn’t always work for us. If it doesn’t, then make another time to do this. Don’t put it off because it is too hard. Those things that are important we can always make time for – if we try.
4. Read to your child- not just from the bible although that’s a good start but share picture books, novels, non fiction and poetry with them. It’s a precious time to be able to read with our kids and share literature.
5. Turn the TV off and spend time with your children – playing a board game, going for a picnic and enjoying God’s creation, playing ball or talking.
6. Enjoy your children and spending time with them. Maybe try cooking together. Yes, it may end up with the kitchen a bit of a mess but it’s a great time together and worth the mess. Make a game of clearing up the mess together afterwards. And cooking doesn’t only have to be with daughters! Boys often like to cook with Mom or Dad too.
7. Often times traveling in the car or when involved in other activities like cooking, are times when children open up and talk about things troubling them or just talk. Value such times when you will gain an insight into your child.Listen to your children. Don’t always be the one talking and telling them what to do. Their ideas are valuable.
8. Decide that time with your children and less material things are more important than extra income so they, and you, can have every toy or gadget as it comes on the market.
9. Remember you’re the parent and this is one of the hardest but most rewarding jobs you will ever do. Take it seriously and do not spoil or give into your child. You are only making life hard for yourself and others who come into contact with your child.
10. Children need to know the boundaries and what the consequences are for overstepping those boundaries. Even if you don’t agree with smacking, and I think there are occasions when it is warranted though it was not something I used often with my children, there are other options like taking away privileges instead. .
11. Be accountable. Be an example they can model behavior on. Parents aren’t perfect. If you do lash out in anger and do or say things you shouldn’t, admit that you were wrong.
12. Take them to church and Sunday school and encourage the friendships they make there. Talk about what they are taught and clarify anything not clear.
Obviously there are no guarantees with these tips that your children will grow up to follow the Lord. Life doesn’t work like that. But you’ll certainly be improving the chances of it happening. What’s more, you’ll enjoy your children in the process.
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