My Child, My Friend!
Reading: Genesis 21:1-10
“Her children arise and call her blessed” (Prov 31:28)
A mother is thrilled when she holds the new-born in her arms. But as the child grows, she may become her mother’s nightmare. This generation of children is certainly different. They challenge parental authority and mock at our disciplinary methods. We must remember we are heading towards the days of Sodom and Gomorrah and the best protection for our children is to keep them bound to us by cords of love. Do not earn their enmity. We will meditate for a few days on how to become our child’s friend —
1. Thrash down your ideals for the child. Enthusiastic and idealistic parents have a larger than life image of their child. They settle too early what their child should be and when the child sways this way or that, they are in agony. Our dreams should not be forced on our children. We should not mold them too early and curb their natural potential. Don’t squeeze the child into your own mould. Try to discover their natural abilities and tastes and channelise them. Accept the child’s inabilities. Don’t goad him towards a goal which he perhaps cannot achieve or hates.
2. See the child as a child. Do not expect perfection or adult maturity. A child is a child. They will play pranks, disobey, tell lies, speak the bad words they learnt in school and so on. Don’t beat them black and blue. Perfectionist parents are a nightmare to children. Lovingly explain and make them understand that God is displeased with sin. Make it clear that if they repeat they will be punished.
3. Remember your own childhood. Recollect how you lied to your parents out of fear, how you rebelled, shouted, cried, banged doors etc., and handle your children gently than by a sudden burst of anger. Never beat your child in anger; plan and punish.
4. Differentiate between sin and mischief. Sin must be explained, warned, punished. But mischief need not be so severely treated. We tend to punish our children for small pranks especially in the presence of others. That will make it more difficult for the child to develop a concept about sin.
No mother is perfect. But we must become better.
Tomorrow we shall see a few more aspects of being our child’s friend.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
My Child, My Friend!
Reading: Genesis 21:1-10
“Her children arise and call her blessed” (Prov 31:28)
A mother is thrilled when she holds the new-born in her arms. But as the child grows, she may become her mother’s nightmare. This generation of children is certainly different. They challenge parental authority and mock at our disciplinary methods. We must remember we are heading towards the days of Sodom and Gomorrah and the best protection for our children is to keep them bound to us by cords of love. Do not earn their enmity. We will meditate for a few days on how to become our child’s friend —
1. Thrash down your ideals for the child. Enthusiastic and idealistic parents have a larger than life image of their child. They settle too early what their child should be and when the child sways this way or that, they are in agony. Our dreams should not be forced on our children. We should not mold them too early and curb their natural potential. Don’t squeeze the child into your own mould. Try to discover their natural abilities and tastes and channelise them. Accept the child’s inabilities. Don’t goad him towards a goal which he perhaps cannot achieve or hates.
2. See the child as a child. Do not expect perfection or adult maturity. A child is a child. They will play pranks, disobey, tell lies, speak the bad words they learnt in school and so on. Don’t beat them black and blue. Perfectionist parents are a nightmare to children. Lovingly explain and make them understand that God is displeased with sin. Make it clear that if they repeat they will be punished.
3. Remember your own childhood. Recollect how you lied to your parents out of fear, how you rebelled, shouted, cried, banged doors etc., and handle your children gently than by a sudden burst of anger. Never beat your child in anger; plan and punish.
4. Differentiate between sin and mischief. Sin must be explained, warned, punished. But mischief need not be so severely treated. We tend to punish our children for small pranks especially in the presence of others. That will make it more difficult for the child to develop a concept about sin.
No mother is perfect. But we must become better.
Tomorrow we shall see a few more aspects of being our child’s friend.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
