TIPS FOR PARENTS

I. GUIDE

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).

PARENTS GUIDE BY INSTRUCTION AND EXAMPLE!

  • Work and health habits
  • Home and church behavior
  • Modesty
  • Obedience
  • Honesty
  • Faithfulness
  • Fear of the Lord

  • Faith

"Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house" (Deuteronomy 6:7).

 

II. GOVERN

"Do not withhold discipline from a child" (Proverbs 23:13).

You, not your children, should run the home. Don’t be afraid to be the boss! God hold you accountable for the discipline of your children.

Discipline requires consistency, cooperation of both parents, compassion and self-control. Discipline should be administered promptly (see Ecclesiastes 8:11).

The "rod" is a Biblically endorsed method of discipline for disobedient, rebellious and stubborn children (see Proverbs 13:24; 23:13-14; 29:15).

 

III. GIVE

Your Love

  • in word and physical expression.

Your Forgiveness

  • after loving discipline.

Your Time

  • for fun, games, work, and activity. Include your child in some of the things you do.
  • for worship of God together.

Your Attention
  • to problems and needs.
  • to the good things your children do. Offer praise and compliments. Some children are noticed only when they are bad.

Give Yourself

IV. GUARD

"Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to do any evil thing" (Psalm 141:3,4).

Guard against . . .

  • Lack of self-control
  • Unjust and unreasonable punishment
  • Discipline without love
  • Materialism and ruinous ambition
  • Destroying your child’s self-respect
  • Building your life around your child
  • Planning outside the will of God
  • Giving "things" instead of yourself
  • Communication breakdown
  • Making unreasonable demands of your child physically, emotionally and scholastically

EASY RULES FOR RAISING A DELINQUENT
(Compiled by the Houston Police Department)

    1. Begin at infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow up to believe the world owes him a living.
    2. When he picks up bad words, laugh at him. This will make him think he’s cute. He will use words later that will blow your head off.
    3. Never give him any spiritual training. Wait until he is 21 and then let him "decide for himself."
    4. Pick up everything he leaves lying around – books, shoes, clothing. Do everything for him so he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility onto others.
    5. Quarrel frequently in his presence. In this way he will not be too shocked when the home is broken up later.
    6. Give a child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own. Why should he have things as tough as YOU had them?
    7. Satisfy his every craving for food, drink and comfort. Denial may lead to harmful frustration.
    8. Take his part against neighbors, teachers and policemen. They are all prejudiced against your child.
    9. When he gets into real trouble, apologize for yourself by saying, " I never could do anything with him"
    10. Prepare for a life of grief. You are bound to have it.

      11. PARENT'S CHECK LIST

      • Do I demand obedience from each of our children?
      • Do I support my partner’s decision in matters of discipline even when I do not agree with it?
      • Do I praise each of our children for his good points?
      • Am I a sympathetic listener?
      • Do I include each child in some of my activities?
      • Do I express and show my love?
      • Am I in control (of myself and the situation) when it comes to discipline?
      • Am I consistent in matters of discipline?
      • Have I committed our children and their lives to the Lord, accepting His will above my own plans and goals?
      • Does our time together as a family include family worship?
      • Do I practice what I teach?

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