| Being a loving and a fair parent is the goal of | | | | rules such as the ten commandments. Using the |
| anyone who has a child or children but a Christian | | | | bible as a basis for your house rules is a real |
| parent wants to do more; they want to share | | | | benefit for Christian parents. Respect for your |
| the love of their savior Jesus with their kids. Doing | | | | parents is an essential part of a Christian home. |
| that is natural and often successful but being a | | | | Christian parents may have some excellent rules |
| Christian parent in many ways is the same as | | | | but they will do even better if they can teach |
| being any type of caring parent. | | | | their children about self-discipline. Knowing right |
| You need to establish rules and apply them fairly | | | | from wrong is important for every child and being |
| and consistently. It is most important that no one | | | | able to control their behavior is the best result |
| child is given preferential treatment and that the | | | | possible. A young child who is brought up to |
| house rules are clearly explained and understood. | | | | exercise self-control will have that excellent quality |
| Christian parents can be like other parents in that | | | | for life. |
| they can fall into the same old trap of thinking | | | | Another essential concept which a child must |
| that raising your voice gives them authority. It | | | | understand is that of reward and punishment. |
| usually has the opposite effect. While Jesus was | | | | Once the rules for the child's behavior have been |
| keen to invite children to hear his message, the | | | | agreed upon by both parents and clearly explained |
| bible also advises youngsters to obey their | | | | to the child, responses from the parents must be |
| parents and to honor their mother and their | | | | accurate. When the child abides by the rules they |
| father. | | | | are rewarded. When they break the rules they |
| So we have a balancing act here within a Christian | | | | are punished. Children learn quickly and respond |
| family. If a reprimand is required, as mentioned, | | | | well to doing well. It should not long for them to |
| raising one's voice does not give power. What the | | | | understand there are consequences if they fail to |
| child requires is the appropriate response. If the | | | | follow the rules set by their folks. |
| punishment means the child is grounded or loses a | | | | One of the possible traps for Christian parents is |
| privilege, then so be it. But the Christian parent | | | | allowing God to control and educate their children. |
| must enforce the reprimand and follow through. | | | | The responsibility lies with the parents. Using God |
| To not do so means the child sees any threat | | | | as the head of their household, the Christian |
| from the parent as an empty threat. | | | | parents must work hard and sensibly to lovingly |
| It should be fairly easy for a Christian parent to | | | | raise their children. As the old saying goes, "God |
| establish guidelines and rules for the behavior of | | | | helps those who help themselves". |
| their children. The bible has some simple and clear | | | | |