“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” — Luke 11:13 NIV

Parents generally want to give their sons and daughters the best, however, what is best for them?  The answer to this question depends on their age, the gender of each child, and the circumstances of their lives.  Parents usually give things to their children thinking that this is the best, but sometimes they are motivated to do it for what they had or didn’t have in their own childhood.

If you are one of these parents, you will eventually discover that what you gave may not have contributed to the development in your children of character with values ​​suitable for life.  Giving them everything does not help children to have the character to say no to drugs, or to tolerate frustration in the face of personal failures, (we all have them), nor to control their negative impulses.  It is not good to give children everything they ask for; it is good to give them what they need.

Regardless of age and circumstances, children need:

  1. LOVE: Unconditional love, as 1 Corinthians 13:1-11 says.
  2. TIME: Time to listen to them, as James 1:19 says.
  3. UNDERSTANDING: Understanding the age and developmental stage that each child is experiencing.
  4. RESPECT: Children need to be respected as people, even if we see them as small and defenseless, we must not take advantage of their rights.
  5. MOTIVATION: Be encouraged and motivated in the difficult situations that are happening, regardless of their age.
  6. PATIENCE: Be patient as they are growing and maturing; this process takes time to become a healthy adult.
  7. SELF CARE: Carefully take care of your health; your physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
  8. FAITH: Above all, tell them about Christ; guide them in knowing Jesus as their friend and Savior. Take time to teach them to love the Bible and the importance of its teachings.

This, in my opinion, is what our children, regardless of age, need.  If you do these things, dear father or mother, you will have healthy children with the physical, emotional and spiritual tools necessary to successfully face a world full of dangers that today trap children and youth.

May God help you in everything you undertake today.

Dr. Miguel and Irene Garita, Family Care Ministry, Mesoamerica Region