How To Build Your Child's Moral Values For A Strong Spiritual Foundation

Spiritual Principles need to be inculcated in every child in the home, school and church so as to fulfill their potential here on earth. Starting a family, a couple finds themselves learning to cope and manage their time, resources and patience in bringing up their little ones. Their bundle of joy brings with it an added responsibility of providing, nurturing and protecting during the trials of growing up. Children need the support and love of their parents especially when they are growing up. Each stage of development brings with it different travails, for which elders that come in contact with the child must handle with utmost care and love. Proper guidance is imperative as is spending quality time with your children.

Your children need not be mirror images of you when grown up, but must have a distinct individuality all their own, able to fulfill their full potential as man/woman in this world. Well, that is God's design for them and for you to feel proud one day when you sit back and watch your children graduate or make important decisions in life or simply when they reach out to their own children.

God gives us children as a gift in order to bless us. Psalm 127:3 in the Bible reads : Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.
So, it is not enough to just bring a child into this world, parents must be responsible in teaching good habits, good values,moral and social responsibility, thus paving the way for a great future. A charming personality is to be cultivated and best begins when children are taught basic clean hygiene and inculcating good habits from a very young age.

A child looks up to the parent/elder/teacher to guide him during the various periods of development. It is therefore necessary never to make fun of him or his queries. And never belittling him in front of his peers, siblings.

How Can I Protect My Child And Help Build A strong Person

Protection of a child can be on different levels, and I choose to write about the spiritual aspect here, simply because all individuals finally need to become aware of their spiritual self and starting a child early on his spiritual journey will strengthen him and instill greater confidence. He will learn to trust God,his parents and teachers,and himself. This automatically has a positive effect on the overall physical and mental development.

Teach your child "right " from "wrong".

Teach your child to choose "right" over "wrong".

Teach your child to love. Loving animals,siblings,having a pet at home all work wonders.

Teach your child to fight for a good cause.

Teach your child to know when to stand up to a bully and fight and when to ignore.

Instill confidence in your child to face different situations they come across. Exams,death of a parent/ pet,moving away of a close friend,etc,.

Teach your child good habits. Hygienic habits taught early in life makes for a smartly turned out individual. Wake up early, sleep early,brush teeth,potty training,bathing,eat clean healthy meals,dress neat and smart with combed hair and polished shoe. Eating at the dining table with family helps in bonding whatever the age.

Teach your child to laugh at life's situations. There is always a silver lining to every dark cloud.

It is not enough to just tell your child what to do and what not to do , it is necessary for you to show him how to live by practicing what you preach. Children are great learners by watching. So, if you expect them to do something and then you do the opposite, you will not only be confusing him, you can expect him to disrespect/disown you in the long run.

And most importantly,teach him to faith in GOD ALMIGHTY. The fact that there is an omnipotent God whom he can trust and obey makes him confident in his parents/teachers and his activities/school work.

Teach your child to PRAY. Not just for himself,his dolls, his pets, but also for other less fortunate children of the world. A child who begins to pray early learns to be a morally and socially responsible person you can count on in your twilight years if necessary.

Teach him to share everything. Books, toys, cake, with friend/sibling. I know of many parents who take their children to an orphanage on their birthdays to share their cake and gift toys. This teaches your child that he must love the underprivileged as well as he begins to understand that he is more fortunate.

Teach your child to be grateful. The art of being grateful for what when has, also termed as "blessings", makes a child want to be good and do good.

Teach your child to forgive and forget. The developing years can be very difficult if there are several siblings and there is a need to share toys/eats.

Teach your child what is "evil", and to shun it. This of course, is according to the age of the child and the necessity of it.

Teach your child to sing and dance.This will help relieve stress even when they are older.

Teach your child that crying is OK. Crying is a spontaneous mechanism especially when a child is not able to express. But that "crocodile tears" is not going to get him anything.

Be firm when dealing with your child especially when he does wrong. It must be an immediate reprimanding for a lasting effect and it will not be repeated.

Never instill fear in a child for wrongdoing or as a punishment. Some parents like to shut their children up or scold incessantly or do not talk to their child for sometime. All this will cause a child to stop communicating with you and he will become lonely or seek other unwanted pleasures. Never be a cause for that.

Never force a child to do anything. Always talk to him nicely and give him the reasons or the "pros" of why you want him to do it . And then give him time.

Never compare your child to another sibling/friend. Especially academics. The child can go into depression.

Teach him to recognize dangers around the house and how to steer clear. And what to do in case of accidents.

Teach your child to avoid strangers and stalkers.

Teach your child the dangers of being alone anywhere. Teach him what he needs to do if lost in a mall,or your neighborhood.

Teach him the use of the internet adhering to guidelines for internet safety for kids.

Never impose your fears or your decisions but lovingly reflect on the positive aspects. This makes the child choose to do right and feel good about it. He will be a good decision maker.

If he has younger siblings, show him that you love them all equally and let him help you doing little things for them. This reinforces love and bonding and open communication.

If you are a church goer, you will recognize the importance of sending your child to Sunday School. Your child will learn to sing choruses, and the art of praying with faith apart from taking part in dramatics and other interesting activities which will build him up spiritually along with other children. Biblical characters and their stories serve to inspire him making him develop a very positive outlook on life and he can overcome any situation. I had the privilege of being a Sunday School teacher for many years and found it fulfilling. Many of whom I taught are today confident young men and women taking on the challenges of this world with renewed faith and vigour.

Proverbs 22:6 of the Bible reads: Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 6 :20-23 reads as follows :

20. My son, obey your father's commands, and don't neglect your mother's teaching.
21. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck.
22. Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up in the morning, they will advise you.
23. For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you. The correction of discipline is the way of life.

Having been a parent myself of an only daughter, who is an officer in a bank, I pride myself that today, she is not just my daughter but also a good friend. I pray that you will be blessed as well !

Happy Parenting !