Tag Archives: Raising children

Starting Kids to School on the Right Foot

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by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is….) Books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and www.patlambchristianauthor.com

Train up a child…

  Start Children Back to School “on the Right Foot”

       Getting off to a bad start in anything is not a good thing, but it is especially important that children get a good start at the beginning of each school year.  The start of the year sets the pattern of behavior for the remainder of the school year and possibility for years to come.  Having a set pattern removes uncertainty and much confusion as children practice firm rules in the home.  As those rules become habits, parents are more at ease and there is less worry on the part of both the parents and the children.

         Before school starts in the fall, parents need to sit down with children and pray with them that they will do their best.  Undue pressure should not be put on any child to make straight “A’s”.  Rather, children should be encouraged to do the best they can do with the abilities God has given them.  II Timothy 2:15 is a good verse to use to impress children to do their best in school. If a child can understand that it is God who is to be pleased more than self, teachers, or parents, studying becomes more important. This gives purpose and the proper attitude toward learning. The prayer instills a sense of seriousness about the importance of behavior and effort.

         Children need routine.  They need the understanding that their behavior is acceptable, and they need to know that their parents are concerned with their well-being.

         Why not use the cell phone, that most older children have, to help them remember their routine? Our youngest son programs the cell phone of his sons to remind them of what they are to do and when they are to do it.  They can then text him when the chores are accomplished. 

A good routine for children each school night might include the following:

1) Homework is done at a certain time and place; then, it is laid out in a special spot so the child will not have to hunt for it the next morning.

2) Anything that is to be taken to school with the homework is placed along with the homework in a designated spot to prevent the scurrying around that often occurs in many homes as children frantically try to get ready to go to school.

3) Clothes to be worn the next day are laid out and ready to be put on.

4) Any chores in the home that the child is to do the next day are explained, so that the child is not surprised with added activities that may interrupt his/her plans.

     5) The alarm clock is set.

      When these things are taken care of, one of the parent’s checks in on the child at bedtime to be available to hear questions or comments from the child before hearing the prayers of the younger children.  Older children may want to say prayers in private.

When the listed items are done, the child can go to bed at ease knowing all is ready for the next day.  That child knows that the right thing has been done and will have a sense of accomplishment. Both the children and the parents will rest better knowing that all is organized. 

When children wake up in the morning and their clothes are ready for them, they don’t have the turmoil in their minds to start the day wondering what to wear.  They don’t have to worry about their homework because they know where it is.  After a good breakfast, one or both parents can give each child a big hug and kiss before he/she walks out the door along with a word of advice such as, “Learn all you can learn!” or “No matter what happens today, I will still love you tonight!”  With a final, “I love you!” the child is on the way to a good day at school.

Children Learn in Different Ways

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by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is….) Books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, www.patlambchristianauthor.com

Train up a child…

Children Learn in Different Ways

         Studies show that we tend to raise our children the way we were raised in spite of any training in child-rearing classes we may have received along the way.  Without realizing it, we tend to think that our children will learn the same way we learned without taking into account the differences in inherited traits and personalities.  We can be much more effective in parenting (and grandparenting) if we can understand the differences in the way children learn.

         Some children tend to learn better by hearing information while others learn better by seeing or doing.  Educators classify children as auditory, visual, or kinesthetic learners.  Actually, all children learn in each of these ways, but most are dominant in one or two of the ways.

         Auditory learners learn best by having a story read to them rather than reading it for themselves.  They like to have music going most of the time and would rather have someone tell them what to do than read instructions for themselves.  They are often musically inclined and can learn better when things are set to music. Auditory learners might learn multiplication tables more easily if they are set to music.  From my experience in teaching, I think many children have not developed listening skills and do not fall into this category.  

         Visual learners learn better with charts and graphs or demonstrations.  They need to see how a word looks to decide if it is spelled right, and they will probably learn their spelling words by writing them over and over rather than just saying them over and over. They will be the individuals who take a lot of notes when they are in high school or college.  They need to be shown how to do things rather than just being told.  Charts for daily chores work well for these children.  They probably won’t just take a person’s word for something.  They will probably want to see for themselves whether something is right.  

         Kinesthetic learners like to use their bodies and do active things.  They are usually the children involved in sports.  They learn best by doing projects. They like doing play-doh projects when they are young.  When they are older, they are the ones who like the social studies and science projects that involve making things.  An example of using a kinesthetic method to teach in school might be to have students stand and turn a certain number of degrees right or left to learn about degrees in a circle.  At home, boys will love to do fix-it projects with dad.  Girls will like cooking or other projects involving action.

         Observance of children will give clues as to how they best learn.  When children constantly doodle and draw pictures, you can know they are the visual learners.  The very active children are usually the kinesthetic learners and it is important to keep them busy with projects.  Quiet children may be the auditory learners as they are listening for sounds in nature or listening to others.  No two children are the same.  Good parents and teachers will learn to observe the differences and capitalize on the way that children learn best.

Helping Children Set Goals for School

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by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is….) Books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, www.patlambchristianauthor.com

Train up a child…

Helping Children Set Goals for School

       If we don’t know where we are going, how do we know when we get there?  Children and adults alike need to know what they are aiming toward.  As we help our children get ready for school, we need to include a time to sit down with each child individually and help that child set realistic goals for the coming school year.

         Goals should be predicated on what is best for the child.  There should be both short-term and long-term goals.  Goals should lead to mastery of needed material for the child’s success.

         It is all too easy for a parent to impose goals on a child to accomplish what the parent wants for the child rather than what the child really needs.  All adults have dreams and aspirations for their children and these same dreams and aspirations can cause us to set goals for a child to accomplish what we want, not taking into consideration the child’s real abilities.  Good goals will take into consideration the problems a child has had and the vision of what that child can realistically accomplish.  To expect all children to be “A” students is not being realistic.  Even if a child is smart enough to be an “A” student, that child may get a teacher whose personality does not “click” with the child, the child may have times when he/she may not feel well, or a child may have a mental block or lack of background experience to provide a needed foundation for understanding of what is being taught.  In fact, grades should not be the priority of goals.  Grades should be taken out of the picture and effort should be emphasized.  If a child is developing good study habits and doing the best possible, that is the important thing.  

         Enough short-term goals should be set to encourage a child along the way.  One short-term goal might be to spend a certain length of time each school night for a week doing homework.  When that goal is reached, another short-term goal of perhaps a month of a certain amount of time spent on homework could be set. The child or parent may decide on an award for the accomplishment of each goal. The emphasis should be placed on spending time learning the material.  Even if a child says that the work is done, sitting there for a certain length of time will provide time for reflection on what is learned as well as thoughts of application of the material learned.  To finish a paper or two does not mean that a child has learned the needed facts. It is wonderful when a child learns the pleasantness of learning!  Learning opens new worlds that many children never discover in their eagerness to “get it over with”.  A long-term goal is to see that the child experiences the joy of learning.  

         Some schools have done away with grades of A, B, C, D, and F.  Some schools are experimenting with promoting children by levels.  When a child can test out of a certain level, that child moves to the next level. There are many examples of students who have made high grades who don’t know the material and vice versa.  Just to “finish homework” doesn’t meet the need of the child.  Parents, as well as teachers, need to make sure that the child knows the material.  Goals should be set to accomplish mastery of material assigned.   

         Each child is unique and one set of goals does not fit all.  As parents take the time to sit down with the child and discuss needs and goals, it would be well to listen to the child first.  Most children will be honest and surprisingly know what they need to do if given a chance.  It is the parent’s role to provide guidance and encouragement.  

Helping Children Learn to Plan

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by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is…) Books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and www.patlambchristiansauthor.com

Train up a child…

Helping Children Learn to Plan

Luke 14:28  “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower.  Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”

         It has been said that there are three kinds of people.  There are those who make things happen, those who let things happen, and those who wonder what happened!

         If we want our children to grow up and stay out of the last two categories, we need to help them learn how to plan.  Getting ready for school to start is a great time to work with children to help them learn to plan for their needs for the coming school year.

         Many churches have backpack ministries.  If this is the case, it is still a good idea to have the children figure the cost of items provided.  Also, the child should write a thank you note to the organization who provided the gifts.  However, much learning can take place when a child helps with the planning and purchasing.

         A good starting place with children who are able to read, write, and do some math is to simply have the child sit down with pencil and paper and make a list of everything he/she can think of that will be needed for school.  When the child thinks his list is complete, sit down with the child and divide the list into needs and wants.  Explain that a certain amount of money will be available and that needs must be met before wants can be addressed. Some items may need to be added or subtracted from the list according to the parent’s choice.  It is possible that there are items left from sisters or brothers or the previous year that can be used to save money.  Such things as scissors can be used year after year.  However, there is a real value in children having some new items to start school.  It is a great feeling for a child to go to school with a new box of crayons, a new pencil, and a new tablet or notebook and at least one new outfit of clothing.  

         After the lists have been decided upon, give the child several flyers containing ads with prices. We all get those almost daily in our mailboxes.  Ask the child to look through the flyers and check on prices of the items on the lists; then, write the prices beside the items listed.  It is good if flyers are available from several places to enable the child to compare prices and find the lowest ones.  Since there will be several items, allow the child to use a calculator to add the prices to get a total. 

         Now it is time to do the actual purchasing.  Undoubtedly, there will need to be some changes made when the store has sold out of certain items, etc.  However, guard against allowing the child to do impulse buying.  Take time to discuss the pros and cons of purchases that must be changed from the original plan.  

         After the items have been obtained, plan for a place to do homework in the home.  Help the child decide the best time and place to do homework.  Storage places for books, homework, or other school items need to be decided.  Doing so now will prevent having those items thrown helter-skelter all around the house and the child not being able to find them when needed.

         Older children can be given an allotted amount of money and be allowed to make their own purchases.  They will then have to decide how best to use that money.  If they get to keep what they don’t use, you can be sure they will try to find the best bargains.  Younger children need more help, of course.  Parents may need to do the writing and calculating for them.

         It wouldn’t hurt to mention the length of time that mom and dad have to work on the job to pay for the needs for the children. (In a nice way, of course, so the children don’t feel guilty.) Doing so will help the children to have a realistic concept of the value of purchases and they will probably be more inclined to take care of those things.  

         The process of planning just described will enhance reading skills, writing skills, and math skills.  Children will have a better idea of the value of money and the things it can purchase.  They will have an exercise in critical thinking and with this process repeated enough times, they will grow up making things happen, not just letting things happen, or wondering what happened.   

Teens Need to Learn About Cooking

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by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children,Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is….) Books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, www.patlambchristianauthor.com

Train up a child…

Teens Need to Learn about Cooking

         Summer is a good time to let teens into the kitchen to learn how to use some of the appliances and prepare food.  Most schools no longer offer a home economics class and it is left to the family and individual to make sure teens have the basics needed to care for their future families. True, we can buy much food already prepared.  However, there are certain basics all should know about working in the kitchen.  

         All children can do something in the kitchen, but teens, especially, need to spend enough time there to learn about safety, measuring ingredients properly, and food preparation.

         What should a teen learn about safety?  They should learn not to let electricity and water come together.  Appliances need to be plugged in and unplugged with dry hands.  Knives should be used properly.  Cutting should always be done away from the body and not toward it.  Dull knives can be just as dangerous, or more so, than sharp knives.  Utensils and hands should be kept away from beaters or blades.  Knowledge of the fact that sugar in cooking makes a hotter temperature can prevent many burns.

         Although students learn about measurements in school, they need the practice of using that knowledge in cooking.  Their understanding depends on usage of the facts.  Teens need to learn that filled measuring cups and measuring spoons need to be leveled across the top with a flat blade for accuracy.  Doing this as a teen gives them the idea of amounts so that when they are older, they will be able to “eyeball” amounts in certain recipes.

         Here is a recipe that most teens really like.  It is one where the sugar mixture will get very hot, so a deep pan and long handled stirring spoon should be used to keep spatters from burning the hands. 

No Bake Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies (Boiled)

2 c. sugar (If you mix the cocoa and sugar together first, it is easier to get the lumps out of the cocoa.)

½ c. milk

1 stick butter

3-4 rounded Tbsp. cocoa

1/2 c. peanut butter

2 ½ to 3 c. quick-cooking oats

1 to 2 tsp. vanilla

½ to 1 c. chopped nuts (May substitute coconut for nuts.)

Boil sugar, milk, butter and cocoa for 1 to 1 ½ minutes; start timing after mixture reaches a full rolling boil. Stir occasionally until mixture comes to a boil; then, stir constantly while boiling. Remove from heat.  Add peanut butter and vanilla; stir to melt.  Add oatmeal. Add nuts and coconut, if desired.  Beat until blended; then, drop on waxed paper or aluminum foil. Work quickly so mixture won’t get firm before you finish.  (If cookies are runny, they were not cooked long enough.  If they get hard and crumbly, they were cooked too long.)

Don’t forget to clean up the kitchen.  Don’t leave it for mom to do!

Children and Bad Habits

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by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is…) Books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and www.patlambchristianauthor.com

Train up a child…

Children and Bad Habits

       Parents do a great deal of fretting about the bad habits of their children.  What child at some time or another has not displayed a habit that parents wish could be broken?  There are a few things that may help parents as they attempt to work with their children’s habits.

         Children need to know how easily it is to form a bad habit.  They must be able to recognize when a bad habit has been formed, and they may need help in breaking that habit.

         One exercise to help children realize how easily it is to form a bad habit uses a few pieces of string. (Sewing thread or sticks may also be used.) Give the child one piece of string and ask the child to break it.  Next, give the child two pieces of string and ask the child to break them.  Continue adding another piece of string until the child is no longer able to break the string.  Explain that when we do something one time, it is easy to not repeat that action, but the more we do it, the harder it is to stop the activity until finally it is almost impossible.  This gives a child a basic idea of how habits are formed.  At the same time this exercise is done, it would be wise to point out the bad habits that should be avoided and their consequences. 

         Many children are unaware that they have formed a bad habit. They don’t realize what they are doing, nor do they realize how that habit might be offending others. One example might be a child who constantly interrupts when someone else is talking. In such a case, the child will need to be told that what is being done is very annoying to others and is a bad manner.  Telling a child is the first step, but it is hardly ever the last step to conquering the habit. It helps to use a piece of paper and a pencil and ask the child to keep tally of how many times the action is done.  Each time the child interrupts, the child must make a mark on the piece of paper.  After a period of time, ask the child to count the marks.  This is a painful realization of truth.  It is impossible to dispute the fact that the bad habit is there!  

         One activity that often helps a child overcome a bad habit is to give the child a certain number of pennies and ask the child to give one back to you each time the action is done.  Set a length of time for the “game” such as a half day or a day. The child is allowed to keep the pennies that remain after the time set.  Just as it takes about seven times for a child to start forming a habit, it will possibly take seven or more times of this activity to break the habit. It usually isn’t the amount of money involved as much as the challenge to the child to keep all of the pennies.  As with all learning, consistency is absolutely necessary.  If these activities are all done, and then the parent slips and lets the child go back to the old habit, much effort is lost.

         Breaking bad habits of children can result in a much happier family.  Tolerating a child who consistently bothers others is stressful.  It not only bothers people around the child, but without realizing it, those same people are having ill feelings toward the child that the child senses.  When a child is well-behaved, that child receives approval from others.  This is a real boost to self-confidence in any child.  The child also gains confidence in knowing he/she is able to overcome a trait.     

Children Benefit from Chores

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by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is….(Books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and www.patlambchristianauthor.com)

Train up a child…

Children Benefit from Chores

         Many parents and grandparents search for ways to “keep kids busy” during the summer.  Often the insinuation is that children must constantly be entertained and kept happy and having fun.  Often overlooked is the value of having children do chores for at least a few hours each day.  If a study were done of adults who did chores when young as opposed to adults who did not do chores when young, I feel confident that the more successful adults are those who had regular chores for which they were responsible as a child.

Often adults think it is much easier to do something themselves than to take the time to help a child learn to do it.  This probably is true in the short term, but once a child has learned to do a chore correctly, that child can be a great deal of help.  However, the real benefits are for the child rather than for the adult.  The list is endless.  Here are a few benefits:

  • There is no way for a child to develop self-esteem or self-worth without actually being of worth or value.  When a child does a task well, that child can honestly feel good about having done something of value.
  • Children learn proper procedures for caring for belongings.
  • Children learn about the effort that goes into making or growing something.  This leads to greater appreciation of the effort others make on their behalf for the things they enjoy.
  • Children get exercise when doing physical tasks.  A lack of exercise can lead to depression. Physical exercise creates endorphins that fight depression.
  • Vocabulary is increased as children learn the names of tools and cleaning agents and words used in giving instructions.
  • Children learn that nothing in life is truly free.  We each must work to obtain and care for wants and necessities.
  • Self-discipline is learned in tasks that may not be the most pleasant and yet must be completed.  This self-discipline leads to perseverance.
  • Chores keep a child busy doing positive things when the time might otherwise be used doing things that may be harmful.
  • When a child learns the proper care of his/her belongings, that child will have more respect for the belongings of others.
  • Chores connected to gardening or the out-of-doors help children learn the names of plants and some principles they will later study in science classes dealing with botany.
  • Chores related to the care of animals help children learn compassion and understanding that carries over in their relationships with people.
  • Children learn to listen and follow instructions—a necessity for job success as an adult.

The list could go on and on.  The benefits listed here are enough to justify adults taking the time to teach children how to do chores and to require that they be done.  During the school year, children are so busy with school and homework that it is difficult to have children do very many chores. Summer is the best time for parents to concentrate on teaching those things that children need to know to care for their own home in the future.  The parent who does not take advantage of this time is missing a real opportunity to shape a child.

How Can We Prepare Children for Future America?

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by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is….) Books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, www.patlambchristianauthor.com

Train up a child…

How Can We Prepare Children for Future America?

         Anyone who keeps up with the news is aware of the fact that our country is having a great many problems.  It is obvious that lifestyles will need to change in the future as our country faces debt at historical levels.  The figures do not lie.  There is no way that the debt can be paid off in the few years remaining until our children reach adulthood.  Wise parents will do all they can now to prepare their children to cope with what they will have to face when they become adults.

         What can parents do to prepare their children for the America of the future?  There are three things that children need to learn that will greatly help no matter what the future holds.  Children need to learn to distinguish necessities from things they only want and think would be nice to have.  They need to learn to be self-sufficient, and they need to learn to be thrifty.

         Ask almost any person to give up their cell phone and they will tell you, “Oh, no!  I have to have my cell phone!”  Actually, mankind has gone many centuries without a cell phone.  Although they are nice to have, they are not a necessity.  This is only one example of people not being able to distinguish needs from wants. This transfers to our children.  For years we have gone in debt as a country, and in our households, thinking things were necessary when they were not.  Romans 13:8 clearly says “Owe no man anything, but to love one another.”  We have winked at that scripture in order to satisfy our wants for self pleasure and convenience.  

         If we don’t have the money to buy something, we should do without it.  I can remember that my dad would not buy a new car until he could pay cash for it.  He would take a load of cattle to market and combine his earnings with savings in order to buy a new vehicle.  How times have changed!  Children want to borrow ahead on their allowance and often we give in.  Why?  We give in because we do the same thing when we buy things we cannot afford.  We have the mistaken idea that to let children have pleasure is to show love.  This is far from the truth.  Real love has to be tough in order to teach correctness of behavior.

         Go to almost any home in America, poverty level included, and you will see broken toys or toys that children seldom touch.  It is not uncommon to see toys left in the yard getting ruined. Undoubtedly, at one time, someone thought it was really necessary to get those toys for the children. Many toys break almost before a child has a chance to play with them.  Money should not be wasted in this way.  Also, money should not be wasted on junk food that does harm to children.  We have many, many people in our country who have diabetes.  Some soda  has at least 10 teaspoons of sugar in one serving.  The larger bottles have 2 ½ servings, meaning that approximately 25 teaspoons of sugar may be in a large bottle of soda.  We are ruining the health of ourselves and our children, as well as wasting our money, when we allow them to have too much soda.

         If we can teach our children the difference between wants and needs, to be thrifty, and to be self-sufficient, we will have gone a long way in preparing our children to live in future America.

Experience is the Best Teacher

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by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is…) Books are available on Amazon; Barnes & Noble; www.patlambchristianauthor.com

Train up a child…

Experience is the Best Teacher

       One of the best things that parents can do for their children is to give them a variety of experiences.  There are many benefits in doing so.  Giving a child experiences in various areas increases a child’s understanding of the world around him/her.  It also increases a child’s vocabulary resulting in greater comprehension in reading.  Of course, it is important to choose the right kind of experiences.  

         When my husband and I worked on the Navajo reservation, we had a little boy who had many social problems.  He could do practically nothing in school.  He was frightened and kept running away from the dormitory and school.  He was sent to Phoenix to see a psychiatrist.  The problem was that the boy had lived with his deaf grandmother most of his life and spent most of his time herding sheep.  He had no one to talk to and no experiences other than sheep-herding.  This is an extreme example of a child who needed experiences.  He was frightened because he knew nothing about other children or the world around him.  He was not retarded mentally.  He seemed to catch on quickly once we started working with him and allowing him to play with the toys we had purchased for the children.  

The more experiences a child has, the greater understanding the child obtains of the world. The child develops a greater understanding of the emotions of people and is better able to fit into society. S/he also observes job requirements of various jobs and will be more able to be self-supporting in adulthood.

         Every new experience introduces new vocabulary to a child.  We tend to block out the things we don’t understand and “latch on” to the things that are familiar to us.  Many times students in my GED classes will tell me, “I have never heard that word before!”  In actuality, it may be a word that is commonly used in conversations.  They had simply blocked it out because they didn’t understand it.  When a child has many experiences, the vocabulary obtained from those experiences becomes familiar and is no longer blocked out.  The child then not only has a better understanding of what is read, but also better understands conversations that are going on all the time.  

What kind of experiences can we give our children?  Visiting National Parks is perhaps one of the best.  Right now, Civil War reenactments are taking place at some parks. National Parks are set aside because of their benefits to us.  When our children were young, my husband had a habit of stopping at roadside historical monuments when we traveled.  At home, simple projects around the house add to a child’s knowledge.  When dad teaches a child to repair something, that child is learning the names of tools, etc.  Cooking and sewing are good experiences for children. Even refinishing furniture and cleaning are good for children. 

         Summer is the perfect time to give children good experiences that will increase their vocabulary and help them understand the world around them. It would be good to take advantage of this opportunity.

A Good Dad Teaches His Children

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by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is….) Books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and www.patlambchristianauthor.com

Train up a child…

A Good Dad Teaches His Children

       The father is supposed to be the head of his household and able to control his children.  To father a child brings a large amount of responsibility, but that responsibility can be very pleasant if it becomes a way of life.  A dad who really cares for his children will try to teach them what they need to know to live a productive life.  What should a father teach?  When should a father teach?  How should a father teach?

         Dads need to teach children right from wrong.  They need to teach their children the fundamentals necessary to get along in life.  They need to teach the dangers and pitfalls.  They need to teach their children how to do basic things such as making repairs around the home, knowing how to care for a car, knowing how to take care of a yard.  There are basic things like reading, writing, and math that are not totally the responsibility of the school to teach.  Dad needs to make sure their children are able to cope with those things that will inevitably come their way. They need to teach children how to have compassion and do things to help others.  He needs to teach them to respect the parents, others, and self.

         One might say, “I’m too busy putting food on the table to take the time to teach my children.”  We usually find the time to do what we want to do.  If dads really want to teach their children, they will find a way.  When children are with their dads, dads need to be aware of opportunities to teach their children.  Love finds a way.  I can remember fondly when my dad would take me on his lap before I was old enough to start to school, take his railroad watch out of his bib overalls, and teach me to tell time.  This was after he had worked in the field all day when he would sit down for a few minutes before he would go milk our 20-25 cows.  He wanted his children to sit on his lap and “hug his neck”.  He would talk to us about any number of things at that time.  As we tagged along after him, helping with whatever we were able to do, he would explain what he was doing and why he was doing it.  He would pick a blade of grass and show it to us as he studied all the little lines and “hairs” on it, and then he would say, “Look at that!  That’s better artwork than any painting.  Only God can do that!”  Dads are constant teachers whether they are aware of it or not.  They are teachers all the time as long as they are in contact with their children.

         How do dads teach?  They mostly teach by example.  They also talk to their children about important things.  They demonstrate how things are to be done.  It is important that dads have a family time once each week to use Scripture and explain it to the children.  Dads teach thankfulness when they pray before eating at each meal.  Dads teach in every word they say, whether they are good words or bad.  When dads disrespect their wives, they are teaching their children not to respect their mother.  When dads are patient and loving, they are teaching their children to be the same way. When dads put up with things that they really don’t like, they are teaching their children to be longsuffering and kind to others.  When dads criticize other people, they are teaching their children to condemn others.

         Studies show that in spite of any training we may receive, we tend to raise our children as we were raised.  We need to do all we can to set a good example for our children so they will know how to raise their children.  Our country needs strong dads.  Our children need strong dads who will teach them truth.  God has commanded dads to be the spiritual leaders of their homes.  If the will is there, dads will teach their children what they need to know in ways they can understand all the time.