Parenting

Raising Godly Children in a Broken World

Developing and demonstrating your personal relationship with God is crucial. It is important to prioritize your relationship with Him in your marriage or other relationships. Discipline your children according to God’s teachings, and pray for them regularly. Train and teach your children, and have meaningful conversations with them. Reading the Bible together is an excellent way to bond with your children and help them grow in their faith. Expose your children to Christian music, literature, movies, and other forms of entertainment, and create a Christian environment for them to thrive in. Parents should monitor their children’s media consumption and peer influence while recognizing their own need for a Savior.

Beware of the temptations surrounding your children. Teach them to turn to the Lord in prayer for strength. Matthew 6:9-13 KJV (After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.) Based on my personal experience with my one-year-old daughter, I started taking her to church when she was an infant, surrounding her with the gospel and a godly environment. I noticed her joy during worship and hearing God’s Word. Although I am still growing in my faith, I strive to be the best Christian example I can be for my two daughters. I am thrilled about the future journey with the Lord that we will take as a family!

Positive Parenting

Positive parenting is an approach that operates on the belief that children are naturally good and want to behave well. It emphasizes the significance of respecting children and using constructive methods to discipline them. Below are some examples of positive parenting practices that can be implemented in your household.

In order to foster the well-being and contentment of a child, it is imperative to adhere to principles. These encompass nurturing your child’s curiosity and engagement in decision-making, being attuned to their requirements, and employing effective modes of communication. Equally significant is the cultivation of emotional regulation and expression in your child, alongside reinforcing and motivating positive conduct.

Providing clear rules and expectations, encouraging your child to explore their interests, and understanding their developmental and social needs are also crucial. Offering a variety of learning opportunities, giving attention to your child, and teaching them the value of resilience and persistence are other important factors to consider.

Additionally, it is important to assist your child in learning healthy coping strategies, provide discipline and set expectations, and play with them to allow them to exercise their excitement. Spending time bonding together is a great way to create long-lasting memories and strengthen your relationship.

How to Nurture a Child’s Mental Health

Congratulations! You have landed on the perfect link to explore effective ways to nourish your child’s mental health.

We need to remember that our children’s mental health is affected by how we treat them, and we play a key role in nurturing their development.

When someone comes to you for advice, it is important to actively listen to them before offering your own thoughts. As a parent, it’s crucial to be patient and share your own feelings while acknowledging your child’s emotions. Tell them the truth, even if it’s difficult, and avoid sugar-coating or hiding things from them, as they can sense when something is off. Try to model healthy behavior and surround your child with other healthy adults. Consistency is key, so make sure to follow through with any promises you make to your child, as failing to do so can break their trust. Take the time to teach your child how to be safe in various situations and always believe and trust them. Use open-ended questions and schedule family time with limited electronic usage for everyone, not just the kids. Spending time with family is crucial, especially for young children. Reach out and hug them, that is their therapy.

Practice relaxation exercises together and model forgiveness. Be present with them and interact, not just sit in the same room on a phone or computer. Respond calmly when their emotions are elevated, as it is normal and not a thing that needs to be punished. View their behavior as a window to their needs and feelings. Make play and exercise a requirement and recognize the positive choices they make and not just the wrong ones. They respond to how you respond, so if you notice and speak out about the good choices they make, they will see that they get rewarded by your acknowledgment and compliments.

Parenting Style

Psychology identifies four different parenting styles. Do you know which style you use?

Authoritarian

Parents who exhibit authoritarian parenting are often controlling, strict, and not nurturing. They believe in stern discipline and punishment for not following rules and have high expectations with little flexibility. Unfortunately, children raised in such an environment tend to become less independent and unhappy, often developing feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem. Furthermore, they may struggle with poor academic and social skills and may experience behavioral problems as a result.

Authoritative

Authoritative parents are those who are responsive and show a balance of strictness and warmth towards their children. They clearly state and justify rules and expectations while maintaining appropriate and open communication with their children. As a result, children of authoritative parents tend to be happy, independent, and have good self-esteem. They develop good social skills and achieve academic success. Moreover, children who have authoritative parents usually grow up to be responsible adults with good mental health.

Permissive

Permissive parents are loving and affectionate, but they are not very strict when it comes to enforcing rules. They prefer to have a friendly and open relationship with their children, where communication is always encouraged. Children brought up in such an environment tend to make their own decisions instead of following rules set by their parents, and as a result, they often lack self-discipline and are unable to follow rules. Such children tend to develop egocentric behavior as they grow up and often struggle with relationship problems in their adult lives.

Uninvolved

When parents are uninvolved, they neither show strictness nor warmth, and they tend to be neglectful towards their children. There is no specific discipline strategy, and communication between parents and children is lacking. Parents have no expectations from their children, which can result in children being impulsive and having difficulty regulating their emotions. As a consequence, children may develop mental health and behavioral problems. Children who have uninvolved parents may require support and help from others to survive.

As parents, it’s crucial to research our parental behavior and identify our shortcomings. Understanding our parenting style will help us become the parents we want to be!