Children’s World

                      Discipline with the Rod!

                

Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old, he would not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).This is a very popular scripture and everyone who is familiar with church and the Bible knows it. But how many parents and guardians actually know its meaning? It’s easy to quote but do we really do what it says?  

 Training up a child is more than just teaching a child good manners or sending him or her to a good “private” school. But if you live in England, sending your ward to “public schools” like Eton, Harrow or Winchester which are similar versions of private schools elsewhere, is the best dream any parent like myself can have for her child. I love Eton College, and I hope my son, Jason will soon be a student there.

Anyway like I mentioned earlier on, it's not just about the education, it’s much deeper than that. God expects us as parents, to be the extension of His Hands to care for that child; an extension of His Heart to love that child; an extension of His Ears to listen attentively to that child; an extension of His Mind to challenge that child intellectualfly; an extension of His Legs to carry that child at very crucial  moments and times in their lives; an extension of His Mouth to speak life into that child’s destiny; to correct and chasten that child. We can only be the kind of mums God wants us to be only by his Sovereign help.

Training up a child is all encompassing. It includes providing the basic necessities for that child which are food, clothing and shelter. Secondly, training the child to know God is the first and foremost thing. As a parent, one must imbibe the culture of God and the Bible into your children from the time he or she is born into this world.

Thirdly, focus on helping your child develop his or her gifting and talents. Observe from the onset your child’s inclinations, whether they are good in the sciences, communications or the fine, creative or liberal arts, sports or business. Every child is uniquely talented; you must be quick to discover his or her exceptional gifts, and nurture and train them in that direction. They are often clues to the fulfillment of their destinies.

Academic training cannot be overemphasized. As a parent, you must strive to give your child the best education you can afford at your level. Whatever school you decide on, make sure they have a proven track record of commitment to success and academic excellence. The fact that a school could be outrageously expensive, doesn’t mean the academic standard is good enough or it’s better than other schools less expensive. What counts the most, is the level of commitment of the academic and administrative staff to excellence and training of the kids placed in their care.

Next to this, you must instill into your children the core values and good moral ethics that develop their behaviour and character. What are your core values as a mother and a woman? According to John C. Maxwell, core values give order and structure to an individual’s inner life, and when that inner life is in order, a person can navigate almost anything the world throws at him.What you have or believe is what you’d teach and pass onto your child or children. It is important you know what your values are in order to help child build a solid inner life!

Finally, you must love your child wholeheartedly, even when he or she is being punished. And like the African proverb says: “When you beat a child with the right hand, draw him back to you with the left one”. Don’t punish a child to the extent that he feels hated or condemned. Even when you have to use the rod, do so in love. Let him or her know why they are being beaten; let the lesson be drummed into him as the rod is taking action. If you are more used to the “grounding” stuff, which means removing some privileges or comfort from him or her in order to enforce discipline, then you must be firm about it. Children have a way of manipulating their way into making you release them from being punished, especially when the effect is still yet to be seen. You must stand your ground, and go through with it, to effect the desired changes in that child.


Written by Ewoma