Do Not Exasperate Your Children

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 (N.I.V)

Many parents spend a lot of time ensuring that their children are well fed, clothed, educated and housed in a comfortable home. This is all good but sometimes they spend too little time at home with their children, which results in making them feel unwanted and unloved. Their opinion is not sought on many things that affect them and conversations with the parents is limited to cautioning them about their poor grades, their indecent fashion,  their poor choice of friends and the careers they should prepare for.  It leaves the children with a poor self image and bitterness towards their parents. Some children try very hard to obey and please their parents but it never seems to work. The parents make them feel that they are not good enough and fail to appreciate their efforts and talents. Some parents also exasperate their children with their manners, language and attitude towards one another.

For Christians, your mission starts at home. Many parents turn their children against Christ because they represent such a poor image of Him. The children cannot wait to grow up and escape from them. This can lead to teenage delinquency with all the perils of vices such as drugs and early marriages.

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If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
Diane Loomans

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