3 Things Kids Need from "My Odd Life"

Well…dear readers….TODAY I feel like talking about children…..again….because this has been a big part of “My Odd Life.” J

What do your children really need? Of course, they need a roof over their heads, food on their table, and clothing on their backs (and fronts, please!). 

Don’t worry- I’m not going to spout off about how your kid doesn’t need that iPhone, ipad, and laptop. Some technical knowledge is vital in today’s learning and employment environment.

I’m not here to demonize all the luxuries that first world kids enjoy. I enjoyed some. My kids enjoyed some. They were great. Whatever you can do for your children (without going into debt) do it!

Whether you can buy them a car when they are sixteen or the best you can do is fill the tires in their bicycle with air, there are some things that your children absolutely need from you regardless of your financial situation.

This is not an all encompassing list-but a starting place….to be continued…..

Three Things Kids Need

1. Kids need to know God.

The cool “intellectual” parents who never talk about God to their children often say, “I want my child to choose for him/herself” about religion. I’ve got news for you: they all will eventually choose for themselves….even the kids who are brought up in church….There will come a day when momma and daddy won’t be able to force them to believe, to pray, to attend church, or even to live morally. My kids were raised in a God fearing home. They went to church twice a week. We prayed and read the Bible. However, when they became young adults, they had to choose for themselves to serve God or not. If they hadn’t even known God, how could they have chosen Him?

It is the parents’ responsibility to introduce the kids to God. In order to do that, of course, you need to know Him yourself. The only way to know God is through a relationship with Jesus. That’s why Jesus came to the Earth. Get your kids to a good church. Pray with them. Read the Bible to them. Let them hear YOU pray and talk about your relationship with God!

One of the things I often prayed with my children, and I pray over my grandchildren while I am holding them is, “Thank you, God, for _________________ (child’s name).”

Your kids need to hear that : 1. You are thankful for their very life. 2. They are a gift from God, and not an accident or the result of the breeding of some kind of super-apes!

2. Kids need to know you love them. No. Matter. What.

That’s called “unconditional love.” You can’t just love them when they bring home the straight A’s or when they get the Athletic scholarship.  Love is an action word. My book, “How to Never Fail for Parents” discusses how love really looks on a day-to-day basis with your kids. (Order it at www.createspace.com/5407452) You can never say, “I love you” too often.  I said it to my children as often as I could when I was raising them. I say it as often as I can to my grandchildren.

Learn your child’s love language….How does he/she express and receive love? One of my children responded and communicated through words of affirmation and time. The other one responded to gifts. Thank God I figured that out! That child would ask me every time I came in the door from grocery shopping, “What did you bring me?” At first I thought, “What kind of selfish child am I raising here?” Then I noticed that this child was always looking for ways to give things to others. If that’s your child’s love language, a piece of chewing gum, a handwritten note, or any small token is usually sufficient. Find a way to express love to them in the way they understand it….for my “gifts” child….trying to hug and snuggle was…..a challenge….instead of it expressing love I think it was seen as an affront! LOL!  I still hugged and snuggled whenever I could sneak it in…. J I still do…..

3. Kids need to know that you believe in them.

It’s popular to say, “You can do anything you want in life.” Yes….but it would be better to tell your kids, “You can excel at whatever God wants you to do in life.” Your child may not be the BEST at anything right now. He/she still needs to know that you believe in him/her. Remind him/her that God has a plan for his/her life. Your child needs to know that great achievements don’t come easily. Perseverance is required, and God blesses perseverance: And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. (Romans 5:4)

Developing a life of discipline and perseverance will build your child’s self-esteem. Encourage your child to never give up. If he/she falls down, help him/her up. Share biographies of successful men and women. Tell them about your challenges and victories as you have persevered through learning to ride a bike, learning to swim, learning to roller skate, learning to play ball, learning an instrument, graduating college, getting your first job….whatever! They can do it! Teach your children Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

Like I said, this is not an all encompassing list….but when more parents provide the above three things for their children, this world will be a much better place.

I pray this blog encouraged you or taught you something!

Please share it!

I’ll blog you next week….I’m thinking it’s time for me to write more about the Amazing Mr. Brintnall….We shall see….in the meantime, do something TODAY to fulfill your purpose.