Tip #1 - Read to your child daily.

Growing up I have often heard quotes like “leaders are readers”, “once you learn to read you will be forever free”, and “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” 

The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy, “Till I come, give attendance to reading”. We all know reading is important, but so often we fail to give it any time or effort. One of the best and simplest things a parent can do for his young child is read to them. There are so many benefits.

• Reading to your children helps create listening skills.

• Reading to your children helps them feel secure.

• Reading to your children helps develop their vocabulary.

Here are some practical tips, that my wife and I have used, on how to get more reading into the lives of our young children.

• Turn off the TV and read before bed.

• Make sure for each birthday and Christmas you get your child at least one new book.

• Get to a library and pick up a new bundle of children’s books to read every couple of weeks.

Some of the most fun moments I have with my kids is when we sit down and read a book together. It is a memory you can make with your child each and every day.

Tip #2 - Remember, you know what is best for your child.

To be a parent means so many different things. It can mean cook, housekeeper, driver, nurse, teacher, comforter, bill payer, clothes washer, bath giver, and so much more. Simply put, a parent is someone who provides for and raises a child to be a happy functioning member of society. That is our duty as parents. The Bible puts it this way in the book of Proverbs, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” What an important responsibility and a practical one that we all need to take seriously. A four-year-old does not know what a healthy amount of T.V. time is. A two-year-old does not know what a balanced diet is. A three-year-old does not know what is and what is not a safe activity. These are our jobs as parents. Saying “no” isn’t a bad thing. It is our job as parents to lead our kids in the right direction.

Here are some practical things that we all, including myself need reminded of.

• Say “no” when you know something is not good for them.

  • Don’t give in to or put up with whining and complaining.

• Have some home rules, and make sure everyone knows what they are. (some ideas)

  • How much TV time a day?

  • What type of things can be watched and what cannot be?

  • How many hours of video games is too much?

  • How many junk food treats a day are allowed?

• Set some legitimate expectations, communicate them, and stick to them.

  • Structure brings security to a child’s life.

  • No structure brings chaos.

You would never start a huge project at work without a plan. You would never invest in something that had no structure to it. We all have big hopes for our children, but sadly so many just let things happen without a plan, or structure. Remember, you know what is best for your child.

Tip #3 - Remember, you know what is best for your child.

This point is not quite as fun, or simple, but it might be the most important. Realize your choices affect your child. What you allow in your home is what your kids will do. Your habits are likely to become your children’s habits. 

Kids whose parents have an addiction are more likely to have an addiction themselves. Places you spend time at and enjoy, will be the places your kids spend time at and enjoy. The shows you watch will be the shows your children watch. 

We have all probably heard the phrase “do as I say, not as I do”, this is not how you want to raise your kids. The Bible refers to this type of person as a hypocrite. They say one thing but do something else.

A hypocritical life is sure to bring resentment into a child’s heart. This may seem a little discouraging and overwhelming, but there are some simple things you can do today.

• Take a few minutes to right down your habits and hobbies

  • Are these things you hope your children will do?

• Take a few minutes to write down the places where you spend a lot of time.

  • Are these places you want your kids spending their time?

    Are there places and activities that helped you as a child that you want in your child’s life?

• Make one change today

  • What may seem like a small insignificant thing, can affect the rest of your child’s life. Realize your choices do in fact impact your child.