How to Raise Your Kids without Losing Their Respect.
by Bruce Parks
A young preacher preached a sermon entitled, "Ten RULES for Raising
Your Kids." A few years later he and his wife had a couple of kids.
And while his kids were in lower elementary school, he changed the
title of his sermon to, "Ten PRINCIPLES for Raising Your Kids." A few
years later, when his kids were in the pre-teen years, he changed the
title of his sermon to, "Ten SUGGESTIONS for raising your kids.” Then,
when his kids became teenagers, HE QUIT PREACHING THE SERMON ALL
TOGETHER!
Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers don’t provoke your children to anger, but
bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
Circle the phrase, "Do not provoke your children . . ." The word
‘provoke’ means "to irritate someone," "to make someone extremely
frustrated, bitter, and angry. To exasperate." A lot of people are
like that today. They’re filled frustration and bitterness. We don’t
want our children to turn out that way.
So what are some common ways parents provoke or exasperate their
children? Let me mention 3 ways. Parents exasperate their children by
being . . .
NEGATIVE.
If you want to frustrate, embitter, and anger your child, then be
negative.
Constantly criticize them. Point out their faults and seldom offer
them praise. It seems like that comes natural for some parents. When
you criticize your child, do so constructively. Criticism, when
balanced with praise, will help him grow and develop. But criticism,
without praise, will make him bitter, frustrated, and angry.
NEGLIGENT.
Our society has a lot of negligent parents. Some parents tell
their kids, in effect, "Stay out of my way and I’ll stay out of
yours;" "Mind your own business and I’ll mind mine."
They treat their children like they are a nuisance and in the way.
Don’t treat your kids like that. Spend time with them. Do things
together. Play an important role in their lives and let them know they
mean the world to you.
NON-AFFECTIONATE.
Do you know what the three most important words you can say to
your child are? (Not "Here’s your allowance") "I love you."
A wise preacher once said that when a couple has a child they lose the
rights to their own lives for the next 18 years. God owns them; He
just gives us custodial responsibilities.
Be positive, be involved, and be affectionate and you’ll legacy will
prosper.
Give your kids the best inheritance possible: the best you.
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