Child Training

Recently I've been reading a book called Raising Kids Who Hunger For God. Also, I am part of a group of moms on Facebook that I asked a question of recently. I asked, "Who believes in using the "rod of correction?" The answers I received from the other mothers in this group made me think about how we look at child training these days.

First of all, I am a Christian Seventh-Day Adventist. I believe in following the Bible in all areas of life. I believe it when the Bible says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16 Teaching, rebuking, correcting and training sounds like child-rearing to me. Isn't that what we do with our little ones every day?

What else does the Bible have to say? Let's take a little look...

"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him." Proverbs 13:24

"Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him." Proverbs 22:15

"The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to itself disgraces his mother." Proverbs 29:15

"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it." Hebrews 12:7-9

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11

The question that I have is why do Bible following people seek the world's input on how to train their children. When I asked that question about the "rod of correction" on the mother's group page on Facebook, the number one recommended source of child-training guidance was The Supernanny. Nobody believes in the "rod of correction." One source on the Internet said that Jewish and Christian scholars are trying to "explain away" the mention of the "rod of correction" in the book of Proverbs. Some just throw it out entirely. Our culture has watered down godly parenting, and even Bible following parents have fallen for it.

Who has more children, God or Supernanny? Who has been around longer? Who is wiser and more loving? Who can see the bigger picture? Who should I trust my children to?

 Is there a biblical way to discipline our children? Yes, there is! The God of the Bible does not change. He is the same now as He was in the New Testament and He was the same in the New Testament as He was in the Old Testament. He never changes. His ways of disciplining, therefore, do not change either. In His Word, he has shown us ways to train our children. If we would see our children trained in righteousness, we must follow the Word of God.

Our commitment to the Bible and the Bible only should encompass all of our lives, including how we raise our children. The book that I mentioned at the very beginning, Raising Kids Who Hunger For God, is an amazing, Bible-based book that I have really been blessed by reading. I would recommend it to anyone who is seeking to follow God's method of child training and discipling.

May God bless us all, and our children, as we seek the best way to raise them to be workers for Him. May we see them give their hearts and lives to Him.

Sabbath is a Happy Day

Today was a special day in many ways. When Hope woke up this morning, I went in and snuggled with her for a little bit. She said, "I love you," and gave me a big hug. I hugged her back and said, "I love you too." Then she said, "I'm a part of your life." Of course, I agreed wholeheartedly. I don't know where she got that from.

Before we got up and started getting ready for the day, I decided to walk Hope through what was going to happen. I told her everything that would happen and what I expected of her in each setting. Then we got up, ate breakfast, took a shower, got dressed and went to church (with a slight detour on the way to help a friend who was lost). At church, Hope sat quietly beside Robbie for the whole church service.

Then, Hope, Haven and I went to Hope's Sabbath School. I don't know if Hope remembered our conversation from earlier in the morning, but she behaved herself very well, and did not attempt to hug any unsuspecting children (she loves to hug other kids, and does it without their permission. We're working on that.).

After Sabbath school, we came home, ate lunch, read some stories, and Hope took a nap. I had told her all about needing to take a nap and that after her nap we would get ready and go to her cousin, Leila's, 1st birthday party. In our conversation in the early morning, I had told her how I expected her to act at Leila's birthday party. When she woke up from her nap we got ready and went to the birthday party.

Hope behaved herself so well. I am very glad that I prepared her ahead of time for today. We stayed late to watch the end of the Rangers game, and Hope did not have any major meltdowns until the very end when the cat scared her.

It was a happy day today. It was busy, but happy. So, I go from one day where the end makes me feel like an unfit mother to the next day feeling that with the Lord's help I am teaching and training my child well. I am sorry for yesterday and grateful for today.

Now for  a little bit of bragging:

Haven will be three months old on the first of November. Already she is smiling (since she was about four weeks old), cooing (for at least a month already), rolling over from belly to back consistently, rolling over from back to belly occasionally, bearing her weight on her legs while in standing position (being held of course, she still has no balance), laughing occasionally, and holding her head steady. According to one developmental milestone chart, Haven is extremely advanced in several areas. Oh, she also brings her hands together and bats at toys. We can see in her eyes, and how she is always watching and observing, that she is a very intelligent little girl.

Okay, enough bragging. But I am very happy with our children. I praise the Lord for giving such blessings in our lives. Father, please give us wisdom to raise these girls to know and love You. Thank you, Father, for this happy Sabbath day.