By: Joel

Joel — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:52:26 +0000

Good thoughts, Paul…I especially like your emphasis on fathering being more than just “goofing off” with the kids. Like you, I love to do this, but my kids need more than just that…

By: Joy (Hobelman) Elliott

Joy (Hobelman) Elliott — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:29:14 +0000

I think there’s a reason for this to be addressed to Dads. Moms can exasperate their kids, too, believe me (I have). But dads are different. Kids long to please their father, to have his approval. When dad messes up it makes the child feel like something is wrong with him/her. The anger against a father can also translate easily into anger against God.
It’s a really heavy responsibility that dads have to raise a child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. But I think those are two key words. Dads must nurture their kids – love them, play with them, take care of their basic needs. But what dads might leave out (especially with daughters) is the admonition part. This must include saying “no”, but it also needs to include lots of training. What should your child be saying “yes” to?
What do you want your child do or be? You must train them in that direction. If the admonition is always negative, you could embitter your child.
In our family, we make sure to have family worship most nights. Doug uses this opportunity to train our children. We catechize our children. We teach them Scriptures to memorize. We take time on a regular basis to make sure that they understand the gospel to the best of their ability. And we make sure that they understand that the gospel applies to our lives every day – it’s not just fire insurance.
When our kids mess up – and that happens a lot – we make sure that we teach them forgiveness by example. We discipline them for whatever crime it was. But then we hug and love on them and assure them of our love.
Finally, and this is something that I adore my husband for, Doug routinely asks our children for forgiveness. He lets them see that he messes up, too and that he needs forgiveness (theirs and God’s).
It’s impossible to be a perfect parent, but asking these kinds of questions is a good sign that you’re a good one.
Good luck.

By: MirroredGrace

MirroredGrace — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:47:45 +0000

About a year ago, I was reading these same verses to my kids. I read the “kid” part, and explained that to them. When I started to read “Parents,…” my son finished the sentence – “Be nice to your kids.” I think that sums it up quite nicely.

Comments on: Dad, don’t make your child angry

By: Joel

By: Joy (Hobelman) Elliott

By: MirroredGrace