Effective Parenting Involves . . .
discipline — appropriately applied.
The key words are discipline and appropriately.
Discipline always begins with the self-discipline of the parent.
When children see the actions of highly disciplined adults who have mastered self-control, as evidenced by their calm gentle assertiveness, they begin to copy their behavior.
Rules and consequences evenly and calmly applied can correct mistakes while not inflicting damage on the child’s heart.
Nothing done to correct a child’s behavior should ever be shame-based.
Parents with good leadership skills are able to build the child’s self-esteem while instilling strong life skills at the same time.
Parents are invaluable in helping children learn to manage adversity and disappointments, which then keeps them from succumbing to temptations like giving up or cheating.
I understand all this seems simple and logical until we stop and consider all the areas of our current culture where children are receiving the clear message they don’t need to listen to their parents.
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.
Avoid such people.
2Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV)
