From the Mommy Desk…
Every summer since 3rd grade, my two older children have spent a week at Pine Cove Christian camp outside of Tyler. Pine Cove is a wonderful camp, and I will write in more detail about the camp next month. However, today I wanted to share some parenting tips that they had on their website (with my added thoughts) about the lessons we should be teaching our children…
#1 Love God and others — Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40
#2 Take Responsibility – Children are good at blaming others for everything. They need to know that they are responsible for taking care of their things.
#3 Be Honest – Lying is completely unacceptable. Little white lies are not cute and children need to be praised when they tell the truth.
#4 Practice Self-Control – From controlling their temper, to controlling their appetite for food or even controlling their desire for material goods – this is an important but difficult lesson. Proverbs 25 says, “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
#5 Be Grateful. Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you.” Children need to be reminded how blessed they are and how everything they have or achieve comes from God.
#6 Show Compassion – They need to be taught how to comfort and care for others less fortunate.
#7 Be Courageous – When children are timid or fearful, we need to remind them that they are in fact strong, that God gives them strength and that by faith they can step out with courage.
#8 Submit to Authority – Many kids today just don’t submit to authority or even respect it. Too often I see parents take the kids side rather than the person in authority, i.e. a teacher.
#9 Be a Leader – Kids need to develop leadership skills and not be afraid to use them. We pray for the Spirit’s wisdom for them, that they would be able to go “against the grain” when necessary.
#10 Obey Quickly – Kids are constantly pushing the bounds and relenting at the last possible minute, we need to purposefully teach them to respond much quicker.
#11 Walk Humbly – In today’s society of “self-esteem” child-raising, many kids lack humility. Micah 6, “and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
#12 Choose Joy – In every circumstance, choose to be joyful. Sometimes it is difficult but it is always a choice. At times we want to feel sorry for ourselves and dwell on the things that bring us down. We must teach our children that joy is always an option, and if they will trust in God, joy will come.
From one mommy to another,
Jenny Wilson
Jenny Wilson is a mother of three. She teaches a Mommy & Me class at Central Presbyterian Day School, serves on the PCT Children’s Theatre Advisory Committee, the Parent Association Boards at Aikin Elementary, Crockett Intermediate and Paris Jr. High, and is a Sunday school teacher at Holy Cross Episcopal Church. She also is a certified yoga instructor, Jazzercise instructor and marketing consultant.
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