Today's post is compliments of Suzanne Lamoutte who blogs at I Speak His Name. I know you will enjoy it.
5 Ways to Prepare Your Children For Life
There is nothing easy about being an adult. It's funny how we spend most of our childhood wishing we were adults and most of our adulthood wishing we could get a do over.
Now as my oldest daughter is preparing to go to college it has me wondering wondering if I've done my job preparing her for the world.
She's a brilliant young lady with a teenage I know it all attitude.
I'm not worried about her learning how to make her own meals or do the laundry. Those are easy enough to learn by pulling up a video on YouTube.
I want her to be prepared for the struggles that she will ultimately face and be equipped to handle it without falling into the world.
Let's face it the world can be cruel. And because of this as parents we tend to shelter our children, we try to keep them young for as long as possible because we know what they're ultimately going to face as adults.
It's our instinct to protect them.
Is that what they need when they enter the world?
- We cannot protect them from the world!
- We cannot protect them from the situations they'll face!
- We cannot keep them from their experiences that will help to shape them!
But what we can give them is,
- Confidence in themselves to face the world head on.
- Understanding of their place in the world.
- Most importantly to find comfort in God in every aspect of their lives.
Here are 5 ways that you can give your kids a fighting chance in the world.
1. Help them to be unafraid to ask God through prayer for help and understanding.
There is nothing better than teaching your children to seek God in everything FIRST. This will equip them with everything that they need in life and something that will prove to be the greatest gift you can give them when they become adults. Click here for a downloadable infographic to teach them how to pray.
Remind them to pray before their test, for the kid in their class that is teasing them, to help their friend who's having a tough time, for courage to try something new and everything.
Make sure you are asking them if they prayed about it. Keep in mind that there's a good chance that they'll get annoyed with you for even saying it, but don't let that stop you. It's okay because what you're saying is being planted in their minds and will one day be firmly planted in it. This will be the greatest gift you could EVER give them.
2. Show them the people that God used throughout the bible.
God doesn't use perfect people. Jesus was the ONLY perfect person. Throughout the Bible there are so many stories that you can read with your children about the people that God used to do GREAT things.
Go further with this and uncover real life stories in the areas of interest of your child that shows how people who weren't likely to succeed did just that. There are thousands of stories of people who overcame adversity.
Talk about these stories often, even if they don't seem to be listening. They HEAR everything!
3. Find what they excel in.
We're all good at something. And no matter how big or small it may seem you MUST encourage them to peruse it – baseball, basketball, football, soccer, chess, math, drawing, singing, piano, guitar, drums, origami, making paper airplanes, helping people etc.
Let them know how good they are, that you're amazed and let them hear you telling other people about it. This will give them confidence. Confidence helps them to succeed in many areas of their lives.
4. Spend time with them talking about anything THEY love to talk about.
I've found that all of my children like it best when I just listen to what they are talking about rather than talking to them. If I say anything more than, “That's awesome” or “Wow that's really cool” they seem to stop talking.
One thing I've found is that when you allow them to talk you learn so much about who they are, what they like and what they don't like. When I would offer my opinion about what they were talking about it seemed to alter what they were thinking or cause them to withdraw.
5. Show compassion to the little things.
As parents I think we tend to forget how hard it actually is to be a child. It's hard, and it shouldn't be compared to adulthood problems because they're not adults. Let them know that you're there for them – with a hug, a listening ear, ice cream and cookies.
Ask if they are feeling better and if they need anything.
Don't be too hard on yourself. Even if it seems like your efforts are going unwarranted, they're not. Here are some helpful scriptures for mothers that will encourage you and remind you why you are doing this.
Suzanne Lamoutte is a mother of four children, and the owner of iSpeakHisName.com. She's committed to revealing her entire life to teach the lessons she’s learned throughout her life. Hoping to encourage and challenge other Christians in their walk with Christ.
Coupon Gal (Andi) says
Proverbs 22:6 – it don’t get any better than that 😀
Suzanne Lamoutte says
Amen! That’s is an awesome verse to live by.
Megan Elford says
These are great ways to instill in your child the most important things they need for life! I’m always concerned that we’re not checking everything off on that never-ending list of things, but you’ve really boiled it down to the priorities. I especially love what you said about showing them examples from the Bible of imperfect people that God used anyway. We all need that reminder from time to time!
Katie Hornor says
Yes! I also loved that idea!
Suzanne Lamoutte says
Thank you! I think I missed the mark on my oldest (the one who is leaving), but there’s still hope for my other 3.
Coupon Gal (Andi) says
That is SO true! 😀
Tammy @ creativekkids says
Oh, I love #1–they need a personal and real relationship with God. If they have that where they can go to Him for everything and allow Him to convict their hearts, then they will do great!
Suzanne Lamoutte says
They absolutely do, and from that they will see great things happen in their lives. I wish I would have known early on in my life that I could go to God with everything and anything.