NURTURING OUR CHILDREN
Educating a child’s mind without nurturing his soul and spirit will only introduce facts and information; it will not teach him how to live a godly life. Since children learn from our attitudes as well as our actions, we must constantly be aware of what we are conveying to our children by our daily life.
1) Are we teaching them honesty and integrity in business dealings and relationships? They learn respect for others in how we treat others and speak about others.
2) What are we teaching them in the way we drive our cars, interact with salespeople, or tip waiters and waitresses?
3) Are we generous in giving to others, or are we teaching our children selfishness? Do we push our way in line, or do we invite others to go ahead of us? What they learn from us in dealing with others will most certainly be demonstrated in their relationships with their siblings and others.
4) What do we teach our children about contentment if we gripe and complain and are not content ourselves? Are our children learning to value work (Jesus Himself was a carpenter) or are they developing attitudes of laziness or complacency?
5) Are they learning the joy of serving others, or do they expect to be served themselves? All these things are learned through careful nurturing, moment by moment, year in and year out.
6) Do our children know they are loved unconditionally by God and by us? In other words, just as God’s love for us is not based upon our performance, beauty, or ability, but on who we are as persons, so our love for our children must be consistent, regardless of their failures. As they grow in security, knowing they are unconditionally loved by God and their parents, they will be able to understand they do not have to win every argument, or always need to be right. They will learn it is OK to make mistakes, or not to be “the best” in everything; in short, it’s all right not to be perfect. This is learned most effectively by example, when we as parents humble ourselves and confess and ask forgiveness of our children when we have offended them.
Janice
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NURTURING OUR CHILDREN
Educating a child’s mind without nurturing his soul and spirit will only introduce facts and information; it will not teach him how to live a godly life. Since children learn from our attitudes as well as our actions, we must constantly be aware of what we are conveying to our children by our daily life.
1) Are we teaching them honesty and integrity in business dealings and relationships? They learn respect for others in how we treat others and speak about others.
2) What are we teaching them in the way we drive our cars, interact with salespeople, or tip waiters and waitresses?
3) Are we generous in giving to others, or are we teaching our children selfishness? Do we push our way in line, or do we invite others to go ahead of us? What they learn from us in dealing with others will most certainly be demonstrated in their relationships with their siblings and others.
4) What do we teach our children about contentment if we gripe and complain and are not content ourselves? Are our children learning to value work (Jesus Himself was a carpenter) or are they developing attitudes of laziness or complacency?
5) Are they learning the joy of serving others, or do they expect to be served themselves? All these things are learned through careful nurturing, moment by moment, year in and year out.
6) Do our children know they are loved unconditionally by God and by us? In other words, just as God’s love for us is not based upon our performance, beauty, or ability, but on who we are as persons, so our love for our children must be consistent, regardless of their failures. As they grow in security, knowing they are unconditionally loved by God and their parents, they will be able to understand they do not have to win every argument, or always need to be right. They will learn it is OK to make mistakes, or not to be “the best” in everything; in short, it’s all right not to be perfect. This is learned most effectively by example, when we as parents humble ourselves and confess and ask forgiveness of our children when we have offended them.
IMPORTANCE OF HAVING FAMILY MEAL
Unfortunately, the family meal where much of the art of conversation is mastered is not even a part of many homes today. With most families not eating together, many other opportunities for nurturing are also lost. The family meal is where manners are learned, as well as gratefulness for the gifts of food and family, and appreciation for those who provided and prepared the meal. It is a wonderful setting for teaching respect for parents and learning the art of loving hospitality toward guests. Many practical (but vanishing) skills are learned by children of all ages, such as the proper setting of a table, cooking and baking skills, stewardship in using produce and leftovers in a timely fashion, nutrition, cleanliness in food preparation, careful dishwashing, etc. This is also a great time to be with Mom. Working together with our children in all aspects of life—cleaning the house, raking leaves, running errands, and fixing broken things are all part of mentoring and essential to the successful preparation of our children for adulthood.
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