What Every Parent Need To Know About Raising Children

I have raised three children into adulthood and know first hand the many challenges that parents can face each day in bringing them through life.

Parenting can be difficult and it is a full time responsibility that can make you feel at times like your world is falling apart. It’s a fresh reminder as I watch over my little 22 month old granddaughter currently growing up at home with me.

Of course, her parents are there as well, yet with all three of us adults, our little bundle of joy brings us to a point of testing of our faith and unknowing to her, she challenges our parenting skills.

Let me add here, every parent needs guidance and instructions on how to raise our children in the best way possible and one that is most pleasing and glorifying to God. We need to pray steadfastly for our children. It’s our only hope.

Many of us [yes, including me :)] have relied on traditional ways, [mostly what we learned from our parents] to raise our children. Other times, we rely on the wisdom of others through reading books on parenting, while many would join support network groups where parents come together to share their own experience, get wise counsel while building skills and techniques.

These are all great ideas. Yet beyond that, the best source of guidance I believe comes from none other but through God’s word – the Bible. His word is sharper than any two-edged sword – it chasten, chastise and it has the power to penetrate soul, mind and spirit to bring about correction as it guides you onto the right path of life.

So here now are some bible verses and Christian quotes that hopefully will cause you to think and spark interest in you to take action in your life and that of your children.

What the Bible Says About Raising Children – It’s Every Parent’s Responsibility

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) – “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Parents we have been given a mandate to instruct, train, teach and raise our children using biblical principles and a Godly foundation as our guide. As children grow older they are far less likely to stray away from God’s word instilled in them. [Should they depart] God’s word is like an anchor that always bring them back to base.

• Proverbs 29:15 (ESV) – “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”
• Proverbs 22:15  (KJV) – “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”
• Proverbs 23:13-14 (KJV) – “Withhold not correction from the child, for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.”

There are different views and opinions about spanking a child as a means of punishment for something they have done wrong, but the bible is truth and children who have been spared the rod are more likely to bring shame by his/her behavior upon his parent/s.

In any case, while spanking is an appropriate form of discipline according to the bible, excessive force should not be used as this will cross the line over into abuse.

Ephesians 6:4 (KJB) – And you, fathers [and mothers] provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Parents, we are guilty of this at one point or another – doing and saying things to our children that lead them to disrespectful behavior towards us and then when that happens, we try to correct them. According to the bible, it is wrong for us to do that. Let’s do it God’s way.

Deuteronomy 6:7 (KJV) – “And thou shall teach them [God’s laws] diligently unto thy children, and shall talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

One of the best gifts that we can give to our children is to impart the knowledge of God’s word that we ourselves have taken the time to learn and understand. This is essential to their spiritual growth and well-being.

Inspirational Quotes and Sayings 

“It’s important to let our kids know we are aware of our inadequacies. Tell them. You have nothing to lose in honestly admitting to them that you didn’t do everything correctly as a parent.” ~ Stephen Arterburn and Jim Burns in ‘When Love is not Enough’

“Let your eyes light up when your children are around. Laugh more. Tell them how empty and quiet it is when they’re not there. Enjoy the things they bring to your life. Attend their activities, not as if they were compulsory for parents, but throw yourself into their lives.” ~ Valerie Bell, ‘Getting Out of your Kids Faces and into Their Lives’

When correcting a child, the goal is to apply light, not heat.” ~ Woodrow Wilson

Discipline is demanded of the athlete to win a game. Discipline is required of the captain running his ship. Discipline is needed for the pianist to practice for the concert…If parents believe standards are necessary, then discipline certainly is needed to attain them.” ~ Gladys Brooks, as quoted in ‘The Gift of Family’ by Naomi Rhode

I praise loudly, I blame softly.” ~ Catherine the Great, as quoted in ‘A Man’s Work is Never Done’ by David Z. Nowell

“Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.” ~ Charles (Chuck) Swindoll

“We should not use anger so often that it becomes an expected emotion. All of us, including our kids love emotion. Once kids get used to a particular emotion – be it shame, anger, guilt, or love  – that expected emotion becomes the emotion of choice.” ~ Foster Cline and Jim Fay, ‘Parenting with Love and Logic’

“The family should be a closely knit group. The home should be a self-contained shelter of security; a kind of school where life’s basic lessons are taught; and a kind of church where God is honored; a place where wholesome recreation and simple pleasures are enjoyed.” ~ Billy Graham

“A child needs both to be hugged and unhugged. The hug lets her know she is valuable. The unhug lets her know that she is viable. If you’re always shoving your child away, they will cling to you for love. If you’re always holding them closer, they will cling to you for fear.” ~ Polly Berrien Berends

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