Key Verse: Verse 6 - “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Key Words: Train up a child
Every child needs boundaries but the question I am often asked is how and what boundaries. Let me answer those questions by listing for you six boundaries every child needs, but especially the high-spirited child.
- Always show respect. Never call your child names such as idiot, dummy, ugly, klutz, fatty, skinny, shorty, etc. and expect the same from him. Any disrespect toward others should not be acceptable.
- Watch how you communicate authority. “Just do it. Remember I am your mom.” “I’ll show you because I am your dad.” If you have to remind your child who and what you are, well, let’s just say you’re not in control of the situation.
- Establish reasonable boundaries. Boundaries do two things. First of all, they establish expectations; and secondly, they provide knowledge that these expectations either are or are not being met.
- Be clear. Make sure your child knows what is expected of him.
- Reinforcement. What the child does good, compliment and heap praise. When he is bad, let him know that he has done badly but in a loving way, rather than saying, “You are a horrible kid,” which he may be. But I have found that calling him horrible simply reinforces his horribleness. Simply say, “You can do better.”
- Discipline. I am a firm believer in laying out your expectations, making them clear, and after that, I apply the “no warning system.” Most kids know how many warnings mom and dad give before they put discipline into action. God told man what He expected and when man sinned, God corrected with no warnings. Try it, you will be pleasantly surprised at the results. But always discipline out of love, not anger.
What to do:
✞ Remember, training involves action, not just talk.
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