“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss

HOW CAN A PARENT FIND PEACE OF MIND?

Learning from the Family Pet

What does it take to teach a dog to sit up and beg? While you might be able to keep your dog off the couch with a few swats of a newspaper, the tactic would fail to get him to sit up, roll over or bring your slippers to you. Even a dog won’t learn new tricks unless you give him a treat, a hug or warm approval.

Training a child is similar. Laying down the law by saying, “Because I said so, that’s why!” only works for a while. After that, all the threats in the world are not apt to make your child mind.

Children cannot be forced to be good—not indefinitely. In time they will begin doing what they want to do whether you like it or not. The key is to help them want to do the right thing so as to adhere to God’s standards and also to meet their own needs. Begin by helping them to feel really cared for. Encourage them. Spend time with them. Do what they enjoy doing. Hold them. Hug them. Do things that will show them that they are in your heart for their good.