Suffer the Little Children

The Bible says:
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Parents are always talking about how their children will not perform as expected. They are continuously trying to cajole their child into their chores, homework, getting up on time and a multitude of other tasks. There are some things I have noticed in relationship to this particular aspect of parenting.

1. If the parent is not organized, structured, scheduled, self disciplined and self controlled, then their child will not be either. 

2. If the parent expects the child to perform and be responsible, then the parent should be also. 

3. If the parent is self disciplined, but does not properly instruct, direct, monitor and supervise their child, the child will not perform tasks satisfactorily either. 

4. If the parent does not freely dole out affection and love, the child will not have the heart felt desire to please a parent whose love cannot be counted on. 

Next time you are telling your child to clean their room, take a long hard look at your own room. 

Next time you are trying to get your children to perform on a schedule, consider if you are a structured person. 

Next time you try to get your child to do homework or schoolwork, consider if you have been consistent in your pursuit to make this habit or whether you have you been inconsistent. 

It all boils down to one thing. Your children are what you have trained them to be. If you have slacking attitudes and have not been responsible yourself, then you cannot expect your child to be any different. If you eat junk, watch TV in your spare time and sleep in, then expect your child to follow suit. Don't go punishing, lecturing and giving out consequences when it is your fault. Instead of pointing that finger at them, respond to those 3 fingers pointing back at you. 

Lu 6:42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.