The family is the first school every child has to attend in life because what he/she learns at home in both the childhood and teenagers exceeds by far what is learnt for the rest of life put together. The United Nations convention recognizes in its preamble that the family is the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members, particularly children.
There are parents and there are parents but the big question is who is an ideal parent?
P- A parent is a PRIEST. You should ensure the family altar is alive and also show your children the path to God. In other words, God’s word is the primary tool for winning the war over your children. Gloria Copeland said in one of her books that you can pray in the spirit over the lives of your children, whether they are there or not with all intensity of purpose and God will reveal what is happening to them wherever they might be. Pray for them, pray over them and teach them how to pray.
A- A parent is AVAILABLE; Jesse Jackson said “Your children need your presence more than your presents.†In other words, they want your company more than what you provide for them. If you truly love your children, make time from inspite of your busy or crowded schedule; there is no amount of success at your workplace that can complement, replace or substitute for failure at home. Do things at your level, your future is waiting for you.
R- A parent is a REFERENCE; Some parents keep their children out of sight, answering the persistent questions (which are normal for their age) by saying “You are too young to know†or “Don’t bother me with that nowâ€. Eventually out of curiosity, the children will ask their mates who will most certainly give them a wrong explanation.
Be the primary source of information and advice for your children, as such, you must always interact with them.
E- A parent is an EXAMPLE; Sometime ago, someone told me how a parent called the school her child was to write an examination to ask if someone can be allowed to write the examination for the daughter. The truth is any parent who indulges in such act is not a good example. Tomorrow, that child will also will also in cheating, exam malpractice or cutting corners to make it in life; moreover, be conscious of how you behave in their presence, how you dress, the way you drive, the company you keep and the kind of programs you watch or the music you listen to. Remember, your actions speak louder than your words.
N- A parent is NEUTRAL; No matter what children will always be children. Avoid dotting on one child to the detriment of the other children as it causes animosity, jealousy and unhealthy rivalry. Remember the child you pamper today will tamper with your peace of mind tomorrow.
T- A parent is a TRAINER; The Bible makes it clear in Proverbs 22:7 “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.†Nature itself supports that that you bend a stick when it is still fresh than when it is dry. As a parent, training your child is a conscious and deliberate act because it involves your total being in the areas of teaching, correction and role modelling. Training is an essential part of life and growth; to attain success or become successful, every child must go through the process of being trained.
The training starts when they are still children, not teenagers. Stop the procrastination and train them now.
So parents, it is important that this piece of information will enable us become better parents as we put them into practice.
