Parenting involves wearing many hats: chef, psychologist, handyman, cleaner and nurse. I have worn all these hats and more as I raised my four children into adulthood. Yet there were times when I asked myself: Am I doing everything right? Am I doing enough? Will my child succeed in life?

Psychologists at Harvard came up with 5 things parents should do to raise ”good kids”.

SPEND QUALITY TIME
Love them by being there. Physically and emotionally. Talk and listen to your child. Turn off the screens and give them your focused attention. Initiate activities with your kids.
BECOME A ROLE MODEL
Be the example you want your child to become. So be careful with your words and actions. When you make mistakes, admit them and apologize.
TEACH THEM VALUES
Our colleges values of Godliness, respect, excellence, attitude and teachability are a great place to start. Encourage responsibility with chores, schoolwork and keeping promises.
TEACH THEM GRATITUDE
Teach then to appreciate people and things. The study showed that people who practice gratitude in their every-day lives, are more helpful, generous, compassionate and forgiving. SHOW THEM THE BIGGER PICTURE
Challenge your kids to care for others outside their circle, a new class member, an elderly neighbour, support a community charity or overseas mission.

A Proverb in the Bible sums this all up saying: 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; Even when he is old he will not depart from it”. As a Christian parent, prayer has been a great strength to me as I have asked for patience, wisdom and strength on a daily basis and some days more than others!

Recently some of our College Pastors ran a parenting course called Child Wise to help parents put all this into practice. Later in the year they will be offering support and information for parenting teens. I’d encourage you to join us as we all aim to be the very best parent we can be so we can support our kids to be the best they can be too.

God bless you in your parenting journey

Pastor Fi