I observe children a lot. It’s my Ministry. When Neisha was growing up I got all kinds of flack about how tough I was on her, and how strict I was on her for even the tiniest things……. like leaving her things when she went to spend the night out, or keeping up with her barettes when SHE sees them on the floor. I admit I was tough on her. But now that she’s 23 she tells me all the time how that has taught her to keep up with her things. She travels way more than I do, and whenever its time to pack, she can remember everything she took with her on the trip.
We train kids to be the adults they are today. I’m convinced that even if a mother or father isn’t in the home of that child, God will send a parent, teacher, pastor, friend, relative in that persons life to plant seeds. When a child acts up in the grocery store in front of lots of people, the parent makes a decision right there to discipline that child, or “wait till they get home”. Children needs to know that where you show out, is where you learn you can never show out again.
A child is supposed to act up in the grocery store at least one time. Let me explain why. They come into this world knowing nothing, they are assigned a guardian to teach and guide them, and when they do something wrong the very first time, its our/the parent time to teach them that showing out in public is a no-no. Thats how they learn.We are to train them right from wrong. When you take your child to the movies for the very first time. I believe that a parent should give them a pep talk. They should say: Listen, ( name of child, and using direct eye contact) we’re going to the movies. This is a place where lots of people come in, sit down, eat candy, popcorn, food, and drink pop. You are not allowed to talk at all ( of course they will talk, but we should train them to whisper and not talk loud. Teach them that if they get sleepy in the movie, they can be quiet and take a nap in the chair. But to disturb others in the movie will NEVER BE TOLERATED. See, when we teach our children what WE expect from them, they understand. So that when we don’t they will do and say what they want. And when we take them out into the world, and there are no rules , threats ( with the eyes) or consequences, your/our children will surely show out.
What will happen when you take your child to the movies with NO PEP talk? When a child walks into a movie theatre that is about to start. First thing they notice is people sitting down, talking low, eating and drinking. When the lights go out, its quiet. A child with no PEP TALK, will talk just because they know 1. they won’t get in trouble for it. 2. they have the attention of everyone there, because of how quiet it is. A child like this, will have the parent running up and down the aisle chasing their child,screaming at them, telling them to be quiet and threatening them, and having to apologize to everyone in their area. Thats not fair to the parent, the child, or to others who are enjoying the movie.
Why do parents allow their children to do what they want to do, in a way that it inconvenience others? Some are too embarrassed to “check” their children in public, fearing it will draw attention to the situation. Some don’t like to say NO to their children, because they are PARENTS who didn’t want their parents to say NO to them when they were children. Some parents don’t want ANYONE to tell them NO, at all.
The bible tells us clear….. (Heb 12:6) “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” (Pr 22:15) “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” (Pr 29:15) And “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” (Pr 13:24) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Be Blessed
Learning Life Lessons 