Three Things to Teach All Children
Proverbs 13:24 If you don’t correct your children, you don’t love them. If you love them, you will be quick to discipline them.
Bringing up children is a huge responsibility. It’s a huge investment too, requiring a lot of sacrifice along the way. But inevitably, it’s an investment that also pays huge dividends.
After bringing up three children of my own, they’re all wonderful young adults these days, reflecting on all that, I believe that there are three important things that every parent needs to teach each of their children. Are you ready?
Firstly, to pick up after themselves. Secondly, to pick up after someone else. And thirdly, to eat leftovers.
Now, I know, perhaps that all sounds just a tad old–fashioned coming from a man who’s nudging sixty but hear me out.
Picking up after themselves is about learning to take responsibility for their own actions. Too many kids these days treat their parents like slaves and for some reason, the parents wear it. Personal responsibility is the first thing that they need to learn; to pick after themselves, to make their own bed to a set standard, to tidy their room. All those things teach them personal responsibility.
The second one is much harder, to pick up after someone else. That’s about learning to serve others; discovering that no, you’re not the centre of the universe. But I didn’t leave it there. Johnny did. Tough, pick it up. Learn to serve others, kiddo.
And finally eating leftovers, which is something children in affluent households seem to turn their noses up at. I’m too good for left overs is what they’re thinking. Great, go hungry then, because you need to learn how to make do.
Come on parents – teach your kids.
Proverbs 13:24 If you don’t correct your children, you don’t love them. If you love them, you will be quick to discipline them.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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Mutinta
I really enjoy and learn from all you send. I especially how summarized the lessons are and yet still full. Thank you
I really enjoy and learn from all you send. I especially how summarized the lessons are and yet still full. Thank you
Kathy L Paumgardhen
Love this article. It makes a great deal of sense.
Love this article. It makes a great deal of sense.