“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” Proverbs 22:6
In many homes today, parents do not give much time to their children because they must work, study, and many other things. They end up spending many hours outside the home. Though they say all their efforts are for the family, including the children, the truth is they spend very little time building a relationship with them. For that reason, here are a few ideas of ways you can improve your relationship with your children and strengthen family ties.
- Face your children and look them in the eye when you speak to them. This teaches them you are paying attention and they are important. Many parents speak to their children without looking away from their telephones, magazines, televisions, etc. This conveys the message, “You are not important to me; you are interrupting me.”
- Hug them from the time they are little. This simple action strengthens relationships and helps children to feel protected, cared for and loved by their parents.
- Play with your children as much as possible. The time you dedicate to them is very important and reinforces the feeling of belonging in the family and being cared for.
- Pay attention to your children’s feelings. Though you may feel they are very childish, it is important for them to know you are paying attention to what they are feeling. It gives them the confidence to share what happens to them and what worries them.
- Tell your children about your life, the good times as well as the times of suffering, pain or fear. It will teach your children how to manage their own feelings.
- Tell them how you came to know God, how He has helped you, how you learned to trust Him and all He has meant in your life. This will teach them to trust God, strengthen their faith in Him and develop strong Christian beliefs.
- Tell them how to apply Bible teachings to their lives. This will teach them to walk in the way of the truth of the Word.
- Don’t judge, dismiss, criticize or make fun of your children. Don’t compare them to others. These will all harm their self-esteem and affect their emotional health.
- Listen to your children. They always have something to say. Listening to them will make you their confidants and help to generate trust. Listening with respect will strengthen their sense of security, self-esteem, their personality in general, and their autonomy as developing people.
Parents, these suggestions will help your children to know God better and be better prepared to face their lives. They will develop a life with faith and hope in God.
May God help you in all you do today.
Dr. Miguel and Irene Garita
Family Care Ministry
Church of the Nazarene, Mesoamerica Region
