Things my parents taught me about parenting. Part 1

When I became a mother, I realized how many lessons I have learned from my parents.  Nothing can ever fully prepare you for all that comes with parenting, however having great examples to follow like I do helps a lot.

     I decided to share with my twitter followers (with the hashtag #ThingsMyParentsTaughtMeAboutParenting) a few useful things I’ve learned from them.  These are things that my husband and I have applied in parenting our three boys.   I didn’t want my blog readers to miss out, so, I’ve illustrated them for you here.  Obviously this is one of those posts that will need a Part II, Part III, Part IV, etc. however, let’s start with the first ten.

  

  1. Respect for your Nation starts with you. Your children watch you and know how you genuinely feel.

I urge first of all that petitions, prayers and intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority that we may live in all goodness and holiness. I Timothy 2: 2

  
2.  Parents need to take time for themselves to refresh and reflect. 24/7 activity isn't   healthy. It is important to take time out to breathe. Go on a date, a vacation, a walk... Do things just you and your spouse to keep the fire burning in your marriage.  Don't take the children everywhere.  Hint: You might even want to take one of your leave days to just stay home with your spouse while your children are in school.

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Genesis 2: 2

 3.  No child is the same. Respect and discover the individuality of each of your children.

The boys grew up and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country while Jacob was content to stay home among the tents.

Genesis 25: 27

     4. Love can she shown in the simplest ways. Love doesn't cost money, it costs time.  

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I Corinthians 13:4-7

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   5.  You are not a successful Minister if your children don't follow you in the things of God.  Too often, Pastors prioritize the ministry over their family.  This is a sure way to ensure failure in the homefront.  This doesn't mean that your children have to attend every church program. It means that your children need to know they are more valuable to you than your ministry.  Your home is your number one ministry. 

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

⁶ And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

⁷ And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

⁸ And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

⁹ And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

    6.   Never punish your children when you are angry. Cool down & explain the discipline to them.

      

         

                   ^{A fool gives full vent to his anger but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverbs 29:11}

    7.  It's okay to make mistakes as a parent, even better to acknowledge your mistakes & learn from them.

Not that I have already obtained all this or have already arrived at my goal but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Phillipians 3; 12

    8. Train your children to seek to understand something before they judge it.  

      Wherefore my beloved brethren. Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. James 1:19

    9. Teach your children to always speak positively over themselves.  When you drive them to school, you can utilize that time for positive confessions and words that will bring life to their day.  At night, train them to always pray and speak blessing into their futures.  They can start this at a very early age.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21

10.  Open bank accounts for your children & teach them early how to budget & manage finance.

Of what use is money in the hand of a fool since he has no desire to get wisdom.

Proverbs 17: 16

 

This is just a very small example of the many invaluable lessons that my parents have taught me about parenting.  Please feel free to follow me on my twitter handle @IdahosaLaurie and subscribe to the blog so that you don’t miss out on Part II and Part III