Handmaidens - Parenting Issues and Info

January 15, 2001

Parenting Issues

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Just A thought...
By Staff Writer Sharon Barrett

It seems of late I have been the focus of many prayers in finding where I belong. I never knew I was lost. I spend so much time talking with the Lord, I just never gave it much thought as to where I was in my standing. I knew where I was, and the Lord no's where I am, but no one else seems to be too sure. When every one else is looking around to see where you are it might be nice to let them know just where you are in your standing with the Lord. There are times when we need to spend time with just the Lord, other times when we need to be out sharing the word, other times for prayers, and other times in association with other believers.. What I am saying is there is a time and place for all things.

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Take Time to Discipline and Train Children
Submitted by Dianne Miller

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

Parents play a large role in laying the foundation for true spiritual growth and understanding. The challenges are many, but the process is not that complex. You know how God's love changes your life. The more you communicate and model God's love for your children, the more they will grasp deeper spiritual concepts later on. As you show your love to your children, it will be easier to discipline them because you'll already relate with them on a deep and sincere level.

How you can train your child:

* Teach your children the Ten Commandments (Exod. 20:1-17). The guidelines provided in the Ten Commandments will help children solve just about any problem they are confronted with in life.

* Expect your children to obey. Never forget who is the parent and who is the child. Nothing is as sad as a family where the children are in charge. A family is not a democracy. The parents are to have the final say or everyone is in trouble.

* Make rules reasonable and clear. Use common sense in making rules and make sure your children understand them. If they defy or challenge you, respond clearly and decisively. It's important to be confident when you face a nose-to-nose confrontation with your child. Know the difference between willful defiance and ordinary childish irresponsibility.

* Punish with love. After a confrontation is over, be sure that your children feel loved and reassured. Hold them close and tell them of your love. Let them know again why they were punished and how they can avoid the trouble next time.

* Never tell your children they are bad. It is only their behavior that is bad.

* Treat each child as an individual. Don't favor one child over another. Don't label children by saying things like: She's the artist in the family, or He's the family athlete. This creates disharmony. Let your children know there is room in the family for two children to excel at the same thing.

* Encourage your children to work out their own disagreements. This eases rivalry and teaches children how to negotiate. Just say, You have to figure this problem out yourselves. You're smart, you can do it.

* Don't buy your children every toy. Provide creative toys such as paints, crayons, and blank paper. Let them build their own toys in the back yard or playroom. Their play during these early years is hard work and they are forming great imaginations and work ethics when they play and create.

* Teach your children manners. Not just manners at the dinner table, but manners about being kind, giving compliments, team-playing, and making tiny sacrifices. Learning to write thank-you notes and responding graciously when others do kind things for them are important in the overall development of a child.

* Turn off the television. When it's on monitor what is seen and how much time it is used. This goes for videos, too. With videos the children are still sitting, and watching like zombies. Television watching inhibits initiative, curiosity, motivation, imagination, reasoning, and attention span.

Kids, Kids, Kids - Enjoy Them
Submitted by Bobby Lewis

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Ever notice that a human baby doesn't walk until it's tall enough to reach a parent's hand?
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Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like clearing the drive before it has stopped snowing.
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"There is only one pretty child in the world and every parent has it."- Chinese Proverb.
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Children are natural mimics, who act like their parents despite every effort to teach them good manners.
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Children will soon forget your presents, but they will always remember your presence.
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Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.
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Be nice to your kids. They'll someday choose your nursing home.
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Insanity is hereditary. You get it from your kids.
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When Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.
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You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can never fool a Mom.
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A child's greatest period of growth is the month after you've purchased new school clothes.
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Anyone who says 'Easy as taking candy from a baby' has never tried it.
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Children: You spend the first 2 years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next 16 telling them to sit down and be quiet.
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The best inheritance parents can give their children is a few minutes of their time each day.

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