Parents

Our children are our number one fans

Setting an example

We are an example to our children. They may not pay attention when you want them to but they are always watching us and listening. Our children love us and they want so much to be loved and excepted by us.

Most often when children become teens they try desperately to become what they feel are individuals. Thats not the case when they are younger. They are actually trying to be like us. As flattering as it is for a parent to have their child try to be like them it is even more important to the child. Often a child can feel no more a part of the family, loved, and excepted as when they are imitating us. Just watch a family with young children interacting with each other. Especially when there are others around. A child may enjoy having family friends or even other relatives around. These other people can however represent a threat to the child's feeling of oneness with the parent. You may witness them trying even harder to imitate parents when others are around. If they start to feel left out they become sullen, act out, throw tantrums, or withdraw and separate from the group or leave the room altogether.

Let's be good examples

This need for our children to identify with us gives us a serious responsibility. We must ask ourselves if we are living up to it. Are we setting a good example? What kind of language are we using? How are we treating others? Are we being honest and trustworthy? If my child imitates me will I see a good moral person or someone I am ashamed of? The person you see is yourself. If you are a single parent it all falls to you. If there are two parents it still falls to you because even if one parent is setting a good example a child may very well follow a parent giving a bad example. The bad example may seem to be more fun or popular.

Proverbs 20:7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. KJV

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. KJV

Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. Webster

2 John 1:4 I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. KJV

3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. KJV

We can make this responsibility easy on ourselves and good for our children. We can imitate our heavenly Father. We can imitate Christ Jesus. If we do this then we know we are being someone worthy of imitation. This responsibility is an honor and a blessing. So remember to always ask yourself if you are living up to it.

Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. KJV

1 Peter 2:21 For even to this were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who committed no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. Webster

May God bless you and lead you in your role as a parent.