HELP FOR THE FAMILY/PARENTING -Teaching Children Self-Control

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Set the example. How are you at showing self-control? Does your child see you lose your temper in a  traffic jam, cut in line at the store, or interrupt others in conversation?  "the most straightforward way to help our children develop self-control is to exhibit it ourselves," writes Kindlon. -Bible principle: Romans 12:9

Teach your child about consequences. In a manner appropriate for his age, help your child see that there are benefits to resisting the urges and a price to pay for giving in to them. For example, if you child is angry over being mistreated by someone, help him to stop and ask himself:  'Will retaliation help or hurt? Is there a better way to deal with the situation-perhaps counting to ten and allowing the anger  to subside?  Would it be better to just walk away?' -Bible principle: Galatians 6:7. 

Create incentive. Praise your child when he displays self-control. Let him know that it may not always b easy to suppress his urges but that it is a sign of strength when he does so! The Bible says:  "As a  city broken through, without a wall, is the man who cannot control his temper." (Proverbs 25:28) In contrast, "The one slow to anger is better than a mighty man." -Proverbs 16:32. 

Practice. Create a role-playing game  called "What Would You Do?" or "Good Choices, Bad Choices" or something similar.  Discuss potential scenarios and act out possible reactions, labeling them either "good' or "bad." Get creative: If you like, use puppets, drawings, or another  method to make the activity enjoyable as well as informative. Your goal is to help your child realize that having self-control is better than being impulsive. - Bible principle: Proverbs 29:11. 

Be patient.  The Bible says that "foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child." (Proverbs  22:15) So do not expect your child to develop  self-control overnight.  "This is a long, slow process and with forward progress, meltdowns, and more progress," says the book Teach Your Children Well.  The effort, however is worthwhile.  "The child who can hold off," the book continues, "is in a much better position to hold off on drugs at twelve or sex at fourteen." 

Next time: THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT/TOLERANCE 

From the AWAKE! magazine, 2015