| Parenting is something that requires incredible skill and | | | | reason and argue - they will win because if you find |
| knowledge yet we are totally unprepared for it. If | | | | yourself losing your calm tone of voice, or using |
| you've been finding parenting a little stressful at times, | | | | unnecessary physical force, you've lost your authority |
| you are one of many all around the world! However, | | | | and their respect. Try not to get emotionally involved in |
| God has given us this wonderful responsibility and His | | | | the situation - keep your voice loving but firm, be |
| Word makes it plain that He considers children a high | | | | decisive in your actions of consequence, and be |
| priority. | | | | consistent. |
| Luke 18:16 'But Jesus called them (the parents) to Him, | | | | Christian Parenting Tip 3 |
| saying, Allow the little children to come to Me, and do | | | | Keep the child accountable for their actions. |
| not hinder them, for to such (as these) belongs the | | | | Children are quick to blame others. Keep the child |
| kingdom of God.' The Amplified Bible | | | | accountable for their choices and actions. Use the |
| So, we need to ensure that we are doing the best we | | | | words "You choose to __________ therefore you |
| can to raise our children in a loving environment which | | | | choose the consequence of ________". This |
| also trains them for successful living as a Christian. | | | | teaches the child responsibility. It teaches them that |
| Parenting tips can be a helping hand in assisting you in | | | | there is a consequence to every choice they make. |
| successful parenting. | | | | This is a central part of learning called self-discipline. |
| Christian Parenting Tip 1 | | | | Christian Parenting Tip 4 |
| You are the parent and your authority must always be | | | | Relationship with your child will be more powerful than |
| clear. | | | | any discipline. |
| The Bible makes it clear that children are to obey and | | | | The Bible says that God disciplines those He loves. |
| honor their parents. Honor means 'high respect' | | | | Revelation 3:19 'Those whom I dearly and tenderly |
| (Oxford Dictionary). All children respect authority if it is | | | | love, I discipline and instruct them' |
| shown in a way that also respects them. Learn to be | | | | Children respond to disciplinary efforts more effectively |
| authoritative in a way that makes sense to your child | | | | if they are given out of a loving relationship. If you and |
| and without aggression. What does this look like? | | | | your child have developed a mutually respectful and |
| - Firstly, mean what you say. It is very confusing for a | | | | loving relationship, training will be much easier. |
| child if you say one thing and do another. Before you | | | | Christian Parenting Tip 5 |
| speak, make sure you mean and are able to carry | | | | God gave each of us free will - obedience doesn't |
| through with what you say. For example, if you say | | | | come by force |
| "Come inside now or there will be no TV' and the child | | | | You train a child to be obedient, usually by |
| doesn't come inside, don't switch on the TV to entice | | | | consequences to their choices and actions. You can't |
| them in, and don't turn it on just because they are | | | | force a child to be obedient and keep their respect for |
| whining or having a tantrum. Let your 'yes be yes' and | | | | you as a parent. Heavy-handedness may seemingly |
| your 'no be no'. | | | | produce desired behaviour but underneath could be a |
| - Listen to what you say; do you sound authoritative? | | | | seething bubble of frustration. Remember, God |
| Raising your voice doesn't mean you sound | | | | instructs parents, especially fathers, not to frustrate |
| authoritative - it often means you've lost it! If you want | | | | their children. |
| to sound authoritative, lower your tone of voice, speak | | | | Colossians 3:21 'Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or |
| a little slower and emphasise important words. A low, | | | | fret your children (do not be hard on them or harass |
| emphasised voice carries much more authority than | | | | them) lest they become discouraged and sullen and |
| one which is raised and loud. | | | | morose and feel inferior and frustrated. (Do not break |
| Christian Parenting Tip 2 | | | | their spirit)' The Amplified Bible |
| Let them know your reason and the consequences | | | | God's Word talks about disciplining with the rod. This |
| - make sure you know why you are requesting a | | | | kind of discipline must also be done in a controlled and |
| certain behaviour (eg the house needs to be tidy for | | | | loving way, never through anger. If you are a firm |
| when you come home) | | | | believer in using 'the rod', ensure that your actions are |
| - explain once to the child (eg "When your toys are | | | | done within a framework of procedures. Hitting out at |
| picked up we will go to the park") | | | | a child is not Godly discipline; neither is grabbing hold of |
| - remind them of the consequence for disobedience | | | | the wooden spoon and smacking a child with it. God |
| (eg "If the toys aren't picked up by the time I count 10 | | | | doesn't discipline us with fear. He should be our |
| we won't go to the park but will stay home") | | | | role-model. |
| - give them one more chance to obey and follow up | | | | SUMMARY |
| with consequence for disobedience immediately if | | | | Part of successful Christian parenting is raising your |
| necessary. | | | | child to love God. As parents, you are the child's role |
| - if they have obeyed, reinforce this behaviour with a | | | | model of Father God. Loving authority, like God's |
| statement (eg "Well done! You picked up the toys and | | | | authority with us, teaches your child responsibility and |
| now we will go to the park") | | | | self-discipline. |
| Don't fall into the trap of 'because I told you so'. Don't | | | | |