Family Matters Matter

From My Perspective - - -

Every older generation looks at the current generation with considerable subjectivity, namely, “what’s happening with the youth of today…we never got away with that…etc.” Maybe we need to become more introspective and ask why we haven’t been a positive, assertive and responsible example to the children we birthed and are in process of shaping.

A recently published book: Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World, copyright 2008 by Jill Rigby states some ways children can be raised today to prevent them from becoming self-absorbed and self-centered. Here's how you can raise unselfish children in a self-absorbed world:
REPLACE A MIRROR WITH A WINDOW. Help your kids see beyond themselves to other people….Aim to raise your kids to become selfless adults who function well in the world because they have self-respect, rather than self-absorbed adults who can't function well because they feel entitled…
TAKE A HARD LOOK AT YOURSELF. You're an important role model for your children. Honestly evaluate in what ways your own lifestyle is either selfish or selfless….
ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND MAKE A PLAN. Take full responsibility for your parenting so far -- and how that has affected your kids -- instead of blaming others like your children's friends, teachers, or neighbors; the media; or society…
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR KIDS. Realize that children need parents who make decisions for them until they're mature enough to make decisions for themselves…
MEET ALL OF YOUR CHILDREN'S NEEDS, BUT NOT ALL OF THEIR DESIRES. Refuse to overindulge your kids in ways like: doing for your kids what they can do for themselves, buying them too much stuff, not expecting them to do chores, not having clear rules…etc.
ENCOURAGE YOUR KIDS TO PLACE THEIR CONFIDENCE IN GOD RATHER THAN IN THEMSELVES. Help your kids know who they are and Whose they are, learn not to think more highly of themselves than they should, choose to be obedient to God regardless of what it costs them…
CULTIVATE COMPASSION IN YOUR CHILDREN. Fill your kids' hearts with love so that, secure in the knowledge that they are loved themselves, they'll be able to love other people…Help your children learn to look at situations from other people's viewpoints. Teach them to love others. Practice hospitality,,,
BUILD FAMILY TOGETHERNESS. Strengthen your family's relationships to help your kids increase their sense of security, which will give them the confidence to reach out to others in love. Let them learn from their experiences in your family -- through good and bad -- that love is choice rather than just a feeling…
HELP YOUR KIDS LEARN HOW TO FORGIVE. Teach your children how to show remorse, repent, and apologize to others they've wronged. Forgive your kids when they do wrong. Forgive others when they offend you. Ask your kids for forgiveness when you wrong them.
CULTIVATE GENEROSITY AND GRATITUDE. Help your kids learn how to live with open hands and open hearts by giving them plenty of opportunities to give to others. Nurture gratitude in your children…
GIVE YOUR CHILDREN OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY. Incorporate community service into your lifestyle on a regular basis…Consider participating in projects like: hosting a neighborhood Bible club, collecting and delivering needed items for a homeless shelter, visiting elderly people in your area who have difficulty getting out…
PARENT WITH ETERNITY IN VIEW. Remember that it's not your job to make your kids happy, but it is your job to point them to the One who can make them holy.

Proverbs 22:6 [NLT] is central and vital: You must “Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.” Training up of a child is an adult decision! Be involved in this teaching process and leave a godly imprint in the child’s life. Don’t rationalize or compromise - Just Do It!

Think about this with me - - -