Wisdom For Successful Parenting

Parenting is not to be taken lightly or with a trial and error approach. Destinies are shaped for good or bad by the quality of parenting received. This where the powerful words and teachings received from an experienced mother and a woman of God i respect so much, Pastor Mrs Nike Adeyemi

She reiterated that 'Most of the evil we see in this world can be traced back to poor parenting or even a total lack of parental influence.
Provbs 22:6 prescribes the template upon which sound parenting should be built .
You'd agree with me that sound Godly parenting in the world we live today requires some level of courage.

There's so much violence, anger and vices among young people and even adults today.
As a parent, guardian, start with yourself, look inwards. Are you actively learning about parenting? Are you teachable?
Reach out, read books, talk to people, receive counsel from other parents, acquire knowledge about parenting
Ask God for wisdom constantly to be able to meet up with the challenge of raising Godly children & ultimately adults
Spend quality time with your kids. Set out time to talk to them, answer their questions and learn from them

Physical growth is inevitable when nutrition is adequate but deliberate effort has to be put into their spiritual and intellectual well being.
Do not let your friendship with your kids undermine your responsibilities to teach and discipline them as a parent.
Children should be properly instructed and taught. Don't just assume they've learnt it somehow and somewhere. Take total responsibility for their instruction
Even if your child is the reserved type, do not leave him/her to themselves, draw them out & hear what they have to say

Always keep your promises. This applies to all of our relationships but especially to children.
Children build trust at an early age and you need to show them that they can trust you to keep your word.
Be firm with discipline. Don't let your kids get away with bad behaviour. Correct negative attitudes when they surface
Take courage, give appropriate punishments where needed, knowing that you are shaping that child's destiny in love
Good or bad, the outcome of your parenting will have eternal consequences.
Don't be like the Ostrich who lays its eggs and abandons them to themselves. It lacks wisdom. Most animals have enough wisdom to nurture their young, how much more we humans, created in Gods image

Be deliberate about parenting. Do not leave that responsibility by default to maids, teachers, the tv, video games
Be on top of the upbringing of the children even when you have to leave them temporarily with teachers or helps. Timeless values like honesty, integrity, love and compassion e.t.c should never be comprised.
Teach your children to respect and honour you, its the commandment with a promise of long life, Don't wait till they are grown and almost 'unmouldable' before you expose them to scriptures. Start young.

As much as you are supposed to serve and nurture your kids, you teach them to be independent also. Even as you honour your kids by giving your time & attention, teach them to show honour to you, your spouse and others.
Build your child's esteem, let them know its not a crime to be a child or to be small. We were all once children.
Treat your kids with courtesy and respect, they may be small in stature but they are full human beings like us too.
Respond kindly and acknowledge them when your kids correct you, especially when they are right.

Don't keep silent, express your beliefs to your kids , especially when popular culture and opinions says differently about that issue
Encourage their dreams and believe with them that it is possible, no matter how lofty those dreams may seem.
Teach your kids about money & how to make money. Be deliberate, the world has many warped views about money,
When you make deliberate sacrifices for your kids, make it a teachable lesson/moment. Help them learn sacrifice.

Be creative about discipline and correction. Discipline should correct and teach not just punish bad behaviour.
Teach your children to respect authority figures-their teachers, Govt. etc. Teach them to be responsible for their decisions and its consequences, both long and short term.

Remember that you might not be there when these kids go through the 'tests' of life, so you need to prepare them.' Shalom