How to raise well balanced children;

Raising well balanced children is every parents dream but it takes hard work, commitment and patience, however, the rewards completely out-weigh the work involved.

Our Creator graciously put certain simple principles in place to make it easier for us to raise well behaved and happy children, but many people have knowingly or unknowingly deviated from these principles and formulated their own rules which are contrary to these principles. The consequence is that a lot of youngsters today have grown up ill mannered and problematic due to dysfunctional up bringing.

4 vital ways to raise well balanced and happy children;

1. Start from a tender age to train your child to understand good and bad behaviour. Reinforce good behaviour by giving praise and discourage bad behaviour immediately by correcting the child. ‘Train a child the way he should go, when he grows up he will not depart from it’. Proverbs:22.6. As this statement suggests, a child needs guidance and usually grows up to retain most of the traits she/he has been raised up with, good or bad. Therefore, make a deliberate effort to raise your child right by guiding and encouraging them to do the right thing. Ensure they understand clearly the benefits of doing right and the consequences of doing wrong.
2. Do not be afraid to reprimand your child early and discipline them firmly when they do something wrong. The discomfort they experience during the time of discipline will check them from repeating the offence. ‘Do not withhold discipline from a child, discipline them and save them from death’ Proverbs 23.13 &14. In other words, disciplining your child could save them from destroying themselves or others in future. Nevertheless, this type of discipline must be founded on love (Not abusive discipline), otherwise it can be counter-productive or even destructive. If it is not done with love and care, it will be perceived as abusive or wicked. This can create an angry child who grows up to become an angry and destructive adult.
3. Spend quality time with your children; Do things together and teach them by example. Watching what their parents do is often the quickest way children learn. Do not abandon the children to nannies or to themselves because you are too busy ‘A child left to himself disgraces his mother’ Prov29:15 – Always create some time to spend with your children as this gives you the opportunity to get to know them. Raising them right is your most important investment, nothing is more important.
4. After all said and done, ensure they understand you love them unconditionally, whether they do well or not, but of course, you want them to do well because they will earn huge dividends in life when they do well. This is why you want them to be the best they can be.