Healthy Fear Of Parents

Children should have a healthy fear of their parents, just as we should have a healthy fear of God.  God says we reap what we sow.  A child who is not taught to fear wrongdoing when he is small will have great difficulty learning to fear God when he is a man. 
{Elizabeth Elliot}

Too many children have no fear of their parents, thus no fear of authority.  When teenagers who don't do drugs are asked why they don't, the most common answer should be, "My parents would kill me."  This is a healthy fear.  A fear that pushes one to do right instead of do wrong.

My children definitely feared us growing up.  They knew we meant business when it came to obeying us.  We taught them to choose the right and narrow path from a very young age.  We warned them that there would be immediate consequences for sin and bad choices.

This is a good thing.  They knew we loved them so much and wanted the best for them.  God loves us and wants the best for us.  His rules are for our protection just as our rules were for our children's protection.  He is a just God and tells us we will reap what we sow.

Thus, my children grew up to respect those in authority.  I respect those in authority because I was raised to do so.  Too many children today are not being raised this way and it is taking a terrible toll upon our society.

So do society a favor and teach your children a healthy fear of you and God.  Be consistent and follow through the first time you tell them to do something.  Let them know clearly the consequences if they don't obey.  Raising children will then be a joy and a blessing to you instead of a curse.

Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably and with reverence and godly fear:  For our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:28,29

The picture is one taken when my children were young at my mom's cabin in Door County where we go every summer!