Parental negligence

I think as Christians we tend to be harder on ourselves as parents than anyone.  I know I am.

The Bible gives plenty of instruction on how to raise Godly children, but instead Swindoll in The Quest for Character shares from an article published years ago by the US Chamber of Commerce a list of twelve rules on "How to train your child to be a delinquent."

1. When your kid is still an infant, give him everything he wants.  This way he'll think the world owes him a living when he grows up.
2. When he picks up swearing and off-color jokes, laugh at him, encourage him.  As he grows up, he'll pick up "cuter" phrases that will floor you.
3. Never give him any spiritual training.  Wait until he is twenty-one and let him decide for himself.
4. Avoid using the word wrong.  It will give your child a guilt complex.  You can condition him to believe later, when he is arrested for stealing a car, that society is against him and he is being persecuted.
5. Pick up after him - his books, shoes, and clothes.  Do everything for him so he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility onto others.
6. Let him read all printed matter he can get his hands on...[never think of monitoring his TV programs, *video and computer games].  Sterilize the silverware, but let him feast his mind on garbage.
7. Parents quarrel frequently in his presence.  Then he won't be too surprised when his home is broken later.
8. Satisfy his every craving for food, drink, and comfort.  Every sensual desire must be gratified; denial may lead to harmful frustrations.
9. Give your child all the spending money he wants.  Don't make him earn his own.  Why should he have things as tough as you did?
10. Take his side against neighbors, teachers, and policemen.  They're all against him.
11. When he gets into real trouble, make up excuses for yourself by saying, "I never could do anything with him; he's just a bad seed."
12. Prepare for a life of grief.

Obviously this is very harsh, but tell me you don't see many of these qualities in society today.  Swindoll's book, The Quest for Character,  was written in the '70's, but much of it's content is very relevant today.  We are raising the next generation of Christians.  How is it going with you and your children?

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:5-9

If you would like to participate grab a button and share how God is leading you to be A Woman of Noble Character.  This link is open all week, and to all denominations of the Christian faith.

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