My only child will be turning one very soon. With the new role I have assumed of caring after another in such an extraordinary way, God has been teaching me amazing things about how to be a good mom. As I reflect and evaluate this last year, I am in awe of how God has brought my husband and I closer together as we face parenting together.
Our love for our son grows exponentially every day, as well as our desire to raise him up in God’s ways.
We want him to have a loving, kind and compassionate heart, just like Jesus.
There are many ways my husband and I can teach and train our son to develop a character like Christ including some of the following:
- Leading by example through actions and speech.
- Reading God’s Word out loud.
- Praying together as a family.
- Caring for others.
The resources that parents have accessible to them these days are really great tools to help them in their relationship with their children. Resources like The Better Mom are encouraging parents every day, feeding them a little more strength to help with this journey that is parenting.
There is another resource that I was recently blessed by; it was a beautifully written children’s book called A Heart That Cares by Courtney Christenson. This unique approach provides a colorful story for kids to enjoy while teaching them about how to care for others. But this is not just a children's book, it is a resource. Towards the back of the book there are provided tips on how to talk to your children about poverty and how to sponsor a child as a family! I love that people are producing creative ways to help us parents teach our children.
God wants us to teach our children His ways.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. - Deuteronomy 6:5-9
God wants us to share His Word with our children.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
God wants us to pray for and with our children.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - Philippians 4:6
God wants us to teach our children how to be kind and compassionate.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. - Colossians 3:12
Look to God's Word to guide you as a parent, and search for additional resources to help you lead your family. The two important ingredients when expecting to make an impact are intentionality and investment. Be a wife and mother willing to do just that!
Below are a few more resources to help you in your parenting journey. Please take time with your husband this week to explore these great resources!
- pinterest.com/unveiledwife/resources-for-parents
- familylife.com/articles/topics/parenting
- focusonthefamily.com/parenting.aspx
I hope that these help you tremendously, but remember they are supplemental of God's Word. Please share any more resources you use for parenting in the comment section below for encouragement to other moms!
- Jennifer Smith unveiledwife.com
photocredit: @unveiledwife
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