Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Fractured Families


Most families don't do things together anymore.  Every one is in their own bedroom doing their own thing.  I have some suggestions for you that may help your family become united.

Don't let your children have toys in their bedroom.  Their bedrooms should only be a place where they read and sleep.  You want your children within earshot of you most of the day.  You need to be there to monitor their activity.

It takes a lot of time to train, discipline, and lead your child in the ways of God.  Having the children always play where you are will allow your children to learn to play together.  This is something you will have to train them to do.  They need to learn to share their toys and not fight.

The key to helping your children learn this is consistency.  If you tell your child if you hear them argue one more time, they will have to sit on the fireplace, then follow through.  Never make empty threats.  They do much more harm than good.

You don't want your children playing in their bedrooms or having friends in their bedrooms.  It is too easy for them to get into mischief when they are alone.  I think this is why God wants women with children to be keepers at home so they can continually monitor their children's behavior and the things that influence them.

Children are easily led astray by the world.  Mothers need to be there for them continually to protect them from the enemy and guide them.  Have all their toys in the family room and in the kitchen, where you spend most of your time.  My children were almost always in the family room, kitchen, or backyard when they were young.

They didn't have any electronics in their bedrooms and very few toys.  I wanted them around me.  Also, be very careful who their friends are and even limit their going to friend's homes.  We didn't allow sleepovers.  We wanted our children under our roof at night.

You must work diligently to keep your family together.  But it will be worth it.  Have family dinners and devotions together.  Help them to grow deep and strong roots in Jesus so when the winds of the world try to blow them over, they will remain strong and do what is right.

And you shall teach them {God's ways} to your children,
speaking of them when you sit in your house,
and when you walk by the way,
when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Deuteronomy 11:19