Six Tips For Successful Parenting

How would you define a home?

Perhaps you would give me your street address, describe your house – the style, how many rooms or the color of your gate.

The dictionary defines a home as a family or group of people who live together, it is the place where somebody feels he or she belongs. Home is a place where a person can find refuge and safety, a place where they can live in security. You see, a home is not a building; a home is a place where relationships exist and are nurtured.

Often relationships in a home include children. It is important that these relationships are intentionally nurtured. If you are like me though there are times when you feel like your home is “out of control.”

Here are six tips for successful parenting that came from an article by Dr. William Goode.  These tips have helped me evaluate how I am relating to my kids.

1. Encourage a lot – the child who is encouraged as well as corrected consistently can tell the difference between right and wrong. (Ro. 13.7)
2. Play a lot – While we as adults must be firm, life has many problems and they need to see us work, laugh and be serious, taking enough personal interest to play their games with them. (Prov. 17.22)
3. Pray a lot – We need God’s help. Talk to Him much about them. (James 1.5)
4. Teach a lot – Eph. 6.4: “Instruction” = putting into the mind; building inner convictions.
5. Use cause and effect a lot – …for correction. This is the most natural way of learning that actions have results (Gal. 6.7).
6. When you do spank… do it lovingly, slowly, prayerfully, and thoroughly so you do not do it often… and never do it when you are angry

Developing healthy relationships in the home take an investment of time, energy and effort.  Be intentional!  invest in the relationships in your home!

May God grant us healthy and happy Christian homes!

If you are in the Kitwe area and would like to get in touch please email at philhunt66 (at) gmail.com.  You are invited to attend the Kitwe Bible Study Fellowship meeting each Sunday at the Polo Club (Show grounds) at 10:00.  Phil Hunt.