This post is aimed at the world's general handling of teens today. I just want to say, before you read the list, that we all are going to make mistakes..some more than others, when it comes to training up our children. I don't post this with any idea that I think I am above having one of my children choose a sinful path. I pray against any involvement in the making of such a choice by my children DAILY, but anyway...just wanted to make it clear that I have only been parenting for 6 years now and have much to learn and many mistakes have been made already, but God is so gracious to correct me and point me in the right direction. For some, your children are grown and perhaps you know you made some grave errors...the guilt you bear is overwhelming. God wants to forgive you and restore you. God wants to make up to you the years that the swarming locusts have eaten. Please read Joel 2:24-27 for restored hope of this promise. We all have guilt over past sins...don't forget..If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. .
I am currently reading YOU AND YOUR CHILD by Charles Swindoll and came across this list. Back "in the day" whenever that was (at least 50 years ago judging by how old this book I am reading is), the Houston Police Department came up with this list as part of a program to reduce crime.
1. Begin in infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow up to believe the world owes him a living.
2. When he picks up bad words, laugh at him. This will make him think he is cute.
3. Never give him any spiritual training. Wait until he is 21 and then let him "decide for himself".
4. Avoid use of the word "wrong". It may develop a guilt complex. This will condition him to believe later, when he is arrested for stealing a car, that society is against him and he is being persecuted
5. Pick up everything he leaves lying around. Do everything for him so that he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility on others.
6. Let him read any printed matter he can get his hands on. Be careful that the silverware and drinking glasses are sterilized, but let his mind feast on garbage.
7. Quarrel frequently in the presence of your children. In this way they won't be so shocked when the home is broken up later.
8. Give a child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own.
9. Satisfy his every craving for food, drink, and comfort. See that every [fleshly] desire is gratified.
10. Take his part against neighbors, teachers, and policement. They are all prejudiced against your child.
11. When he gets into real trouble, apologize for yourself by saying, "I never could do anything with him".
12. Prepare for a life of grief. You will be likely to have it.
Again, this was written by a Houston Police Dept...WE have hope that we won't have a life of grief or ever be without HOPE for healing. The Lord can restore broken hearts and lives.
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6 comments:
As a mama of 5 grown children, I would say that these twelve rules for raising delinquent children have the right idea. I am thankful for my children because I know some mistakes were made along the way but God in His mercy straighned out what I didnot know and I am so thankful.
I hope your little girl is getting along much better today. God bless you all. connie from Texas
Thank you so much Mrs Connie...Anjolie is doing much better. She is in a long arm cast which should heal in about 3-4 weeks. Take care! Heather
I have that list in a book called "With Love and a Pinch of Salt" by Jesse Rice Sanburg. Sword of the Lord published it. It's what I call a "right on!" list.
~Kristi
Came over to check on Anjolie. Hope she's on the mend and that the cast doesn't itch too much.
#6...Sometimes I regret that my children can read...before they get married!
There are weeks I feel like I have to choose between protecting their innocence or keeping them ignorant in the ways of homemaking given the garbage headlines that assault us all at the grocery check out.
*resigned sigh*
But God's grace can cover all; I pray it is His good pleasure to apply it.
I really need to print this and keep it close. I know mistakes will be made, but I never want my children (or anyone else) to think that this is how they were raised. It's going to take a lot of time in humble prayer before God on my part. I can already tell that in the 9 short months I've been a mother.
Love you Heather. I am so glad that I have the priviledge of knowing you. Sometimes I look back at the early days of motherhood and wonder if you know what a true, perfectly-timed blessing from God you were. It was so good just to hear you say, "I know". I'm glad that I can still *hear* those same "I know"'s from you now via this blog.
Have a great day girl! Just wanted you to know that your sweet gestures are never in vain.
Kristi, I will def have to check that book out!
GB, the strategy of our enemy is enough to make me feel perpetually weak in the knees. I just praise the Lord for His grace and protection. May my children be made blind and deaf to the "garbage" at just the precise moments when my protective hand has met its physical/reasonable limit. Praise the Lord we are protected from the visually assaulting billboards for the moment here in Japan :)
Liz :)Girl, we have sister souls...not in the mystical sense..in the unsaid being able to "relate" sense. I love how even just a well timed touch of the elbow and gaze into a hurting soul speaks volumes as the Christ in us ministers to the Christ in others. God is so good.
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