Discipline

Discipline

Discipline your children, and they will give you happiness and peace of mind.

Proverbs 29:17

The sheriff’s office in a Texas city once distributed a list of rules titled “How to Raise a Juvenile Delinquent in Your Own Family”:

Begin with infancy to give the child everything he wants. This will insure his believing that the world owes him a living. Pick up everything he leaves lying around. This will teach him that he can always throw off responsibility on others. Take his part against neighbors, teachers, and policemen. They are all prejudiced against your child. He is a “free spirit” and he’s never wrong. Finally, prepare yourself for a life full of grief. You’re going to have it.^a

Sometimes I see moms literally throw up their hands and say (in front of their child), “I don’t know what to do with this child!” Every mom in the world has moments when she truly doesn’t know what to do, but admitting it in front of the child creates more problems than it solves. For starters, the child gets the message that the mother’s posture toward him is one of helplessness and disgust.

Whenever we feel overwhelmed, it’s good for us to stop and ask God for his help. God promises to provide the wisdom and strength to carry out any task he gives us, if we’re ready to ask for it. God’s Word is another valuable resource, because it contains a huge supply of wisdom that is readily available. We also need other moms to confide in—what would we do without them? Knowing that our friends face similar challenges is immensely encouraging.

Father,

When we experience those moments of “I don’t know what to do with this child,” please help us remember first to run to you in our need, realizing that you will equip us with the strength and wisdom necessary to raise our children properly. Amen.