Children are a blessing from the Lord. “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them” (Psalms 127:3-5).  Every blessing has a corresponding duty.  Parents deliberately choose their peculiar duties when they choose to be parents.  Children do not ask to be born and this makes parental duty all the more serious.  Before God parents willingly elect to be responsible for the minds, hearts, and bodies of their children who did not choose them to exercise such prerogatives.  This duty is a sacred trust.

A constant concern of those who love God and their children is that of always doing what is right and best for their children.         What do I owe my children before God?

The National Association of Mental Health has listed ten basic needs of youth - criteria necessary to support the healthy growth of a young person through his transition years between childhood and manhood.

ACCEPTANCE - Every young person needs to believe his parents like him for himself; that they like him all the time and not only when he acts according to their ideals of the way a child should act; that they always accept him, even though they may not always approve of the things he does.

CONTROL – A young person needs to know that there are limits to what he is permitted to do

and that his parents will hold him to those limits;  he must be taught self-control to avoid hurting himself and others when he feels jealous or angry.

FAITH – Young people need a set of moral standards to live by, a belief in human values,

kindness, courage, honesty, generosity and justice.

GUIDANCE – Children need to have friendly help in learning how to behave toward

persons and things; adults around them should show by example how to get along with others. INDEPENDENCE – A young person needs to know his parents have confidence in him and

will help him develop his ability to do good things for himself and others.

LOVE – Young people need to know that his parents love him, want him and enjoy him; that he matters to someone and that there are people around him who care what happens to him.

PRAISE - Every young person needs approval. Youth, like adults needs a “pat on the back” for something good they have accomplished. It is not small; if it is important to your child.

PROTECTION – Children need to know that their parents want him safe from harm; that they will help him when he feels a strange or frightening situation.

RECOGNITION - Every young person needs to be recognized for what he is inside and outside the home.

SECURITY – Young people need to know his home is a place of safety; that his parents will be around in time of need, that he does belong, and is an important member of the family.

HOW DO YOU MEASURE UP???