For several years I served on a city-wide committee called Parenting with Purpose. The committee was made up of different child-oriented service groups, health organizations and parents (most of us were parents as well). We began to host a yearly, one-day conference called Parenting with Pizzazz. Parents came to attend keynote sessions with a main speaker as well as several workshops relating to parenting given by people from the Kelowna area. Childcare, lunch and snacks were provided. One year, over one-half of the presenters were from a Christian background.

One of our main goals as a committee was to debunk some myths around parenting as well as address the ‘stigma’ associated with parenting education. I would like to address one main myth today:

Myth: “Parents are not equipped to raise their children.”

My mother gave birth to six children; the first five within six years – she was a busy mom. Feeling overwhelmed one day, she voiced her concerns to her doctor. Being the wise man he was, he gave her the following advice that kept her going and later helped me as I raised our four (who were also born within 6 years). He said, ‘For each child you are blessed with, God will give you both the grace and the wisdom to raise that child.’

I was a perfect parent until I had more than one child. Each one is unique and has their own distinct personality, preferences and quirks. How you approach raising each child must be different as well. So, does God really equip us? And if so, how?

In our society today, many of the upbringing responsibilities are acquiesced by parents to others. If a parent wants their child to learn teamwork or perseverance, they send their child to the coach of the junior sports team to learn these skills. Often parents acquiesce their child’s acquiring knowledge and wisdom to the trained professional teachers, without any further involvement from the parent. Parents sometimes delegate the important self-esteem building to strangers – martial arts instructor, skiing/ boarding coach, etc. Not all parents, of course, but generally, in our culture, this is becoming the norm.

I wish to challenge parents to get involved and stay involved in your child’s growth and development in every area of their life. But most importantly, in the spiritual training of your children. Who better to model and teach your child how to have a conversation with God, than the one they have a daily conversation with – their parent!

Deuteronomy 6 is God’s instructions to parents, not the Sunday School teacher, coach or school teacher.

Do you want your children and their children to fear the Lord? Hear, O Parent, be careful to obey the Lord yourself. Then things will go well for you and you will have a good, long life. This passage reminds me of Ephesians 6:1-3: “Children, obey your parents so that things will go well for you and you will enjoy a long life.” This is true for parents, first of all, to obey God. I encourage you to not be afraid to obey God in front of your children. You are the best example for them. As God’s word is upon your heart, you will be able to make that lasting impression on your child’s heart also.

God’s command of instructing children is directed to parents. He entrusts this awesome task to you. He will not leave you stranded, without the right tools, helps, or guides along the way. And it’s okay to ask for help. God wants the best for ALL his kids.

I trust these series of articles help you in your spiritual journey with your child.

God bless you.

Pastor Christine