Teach your children these fundamental things

The reason we have disharmony in society is because there is a breakdown in the home.

I subscribe fully to the opinion that if a man or woman is not sure he/she can handle family life, then steer very far away from it.

Even the good book recognises that some of us will serve best when single.

Fear God

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Teach children the value of living under God’s authority and obeying His word.

The best way is to model it. Do you know God yourself? Do you live a life worthy of the Kingdom of God? 

Relationship and communication skills

God places a high premium on this and so should any parent.

The word tells us how good and pleasant it is when we dwell together in unity.

Children watch how you relate with others and because they are perfect imitators, they will simply copy.

Can they hold a meaningful conversation with different types of people? Can they communicate without coming off as puffed up, braggarts, over confident spoiled brats? Do they apologise when they err?

A person who has education but lacks communication and relationship skills is not very useful.

Character

Henry David Thoreau says you cannot dream yourself into a character. You must hammer and forge yourself one.

As parents, we must have convictions and beliefs we hold dear.

We must abide by some principles that enable us build our children’s character.

Discipline those children with love as well as allow them to endure a little suffering.

A good sense of self-worth

Name-calling and badgering your children and causing them mental anguish will not do.

The result often is that their self-esteem is lowered and this denies them a chance to achieve what God intended for them.

Teachable spirit

Never model an argumentative character because that is what children will pick from you.

Job quickly accepted his error and repented.

Tell them that life is one never-ending school and we will pick lessons in life till we die.

An ability to create personal vision

Do you sit down with your children and discuss personal goals?

Structure them as long and short term and spare time to monitor and evaluate them.

Without vision, God says, a people perish.

Sense of humuor

Laughter is good for the soul.

When Isaac was born, he was laughing. Likewise, our homes should be filled with reasonable laughter. It is our duty to create humour in the home. A home ought never to be a constant funeral service.