The Value of Adult Guidance - HOW TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE

Spend time with your children.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE:  "Train a child the way he should go, even when he grows old he will not depart from it." - PROVERBS 22:6.

Children naturally look to their parents for guidance.  In fact, experts say that even as children enter the teen years, they tend to value the advice of their parents over that of their peers.  "Parents remain the major influence on their child's  attitudes and behavior through adolescent and into young adulthood," writes Dr. Laurence Steinberg in  the book You and Your Adolescent.  He adds:  "Adolescents care what you think and listen to what you say, even if  they don't always admit it or agree with every point."

Take advantage of your children's natural inclination to look up to you.  Spend time with your children and share your viewpoints, values and experiences with them. 

Provide a mentor.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE:  "The one walking with the wise will become wise." - PROVERBS 123:20.

Can you think of an adult who might be a good role model for your adolescent?  Why not arrange for that person to spend time with him or her?  Of course, you should not abdicate your parental authority.  But the encouragement from a trusted adult who you know will not harm your child can supplement the training you provide.  In the Bible, Timothy-even as an adult-benefited greatly from the association he had with the apostle Paul, and Paul benefited from Timothy's companionship;. - PHILIPPIANS 2:20, 22.

During the past century, many families have become somewhat fragmented, as grandparents, uncles, aunts and other relatives may live in another part of the world.   If that is true in your chase, try  to provide your teens with opportunities to learn from adults who have traits that you would like to see in your children.

Next time: The Value of Adult Guidance - TRAIN NOW 

From the jw.org publications