Train Your Child From Infancy

Continue with  INCULCATE THE TRUTH IN YOUR CHILD

Be a companion. Jehovah told parents in Israel:  'Speak with your children when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road.' This requires spending time with the children no matter how busy the parents are.  Jesus evidently felt that children were deserving of his time. During the final days of his ministry, "people began bringing him young children for him to touch these."  What was Jesus reaction?  "He took the children into his arms and began blessing them."  (Mark 10:13, 16)  Imagine, the final hours of Jesus; life were ticking away. Still, he gave these children his time and attention. What a fine lesson!

Be a communicator. Spending time with your child will help you to communicate with him. the more you communicate, the better you will discern how his personality is developing.  Remember, though, communicating is more than talking.  "I had to develop the art of listening," said a mother in Brazil, "listening with my heart."  her patience bore fruit when her son began to share his feelings with her.

Children need "a time to laugh . . .and a time to skip about," a time for recreation.  (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4; Zechariah 8:5)  Recreation is very productive when parents and children enjoy it together. it is a sad fact that in many homes recreation means watching television. While some television may be entertaining. many destroy good values, and watching television tends to stifle communication in your family.  Therefore, why not do something creative with your children?  Sing, play games, associate with friends, visit enjoyable places.  Such activities encourage communication.

Next time: Train Your Child From Infancy/ Conclusion of  INCULCATE THE TRUTH IN YOUR CHILD

From the book: The Secret of FAMILY HAPPINESS