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Christian Parenting Series
Part 2, Discipling Reasoning Children


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Table of Contents

  1. Parenting Young Children
  2. Discicipling Reasoning Children Introduction
    1. Transition to Standards of Conduct
    2. Develop the Tool of Home
      1. Example: A Little Extra
        (This article)
      2. Example: Faithfulness
      3. Example: Perseverance
      4. Example: Coming Alongside
    3. Rejoice in Reality
    4. A Conversation Between Two Moms
  3. Releasing Steadfast Children
  4. Celebrating Established People of God

This Article’s Topics:

Develop the Tool of Home Through Routines


DON’T DO A LITTLE ~ DO A LITTLE EXTRA

One practical way to encourage children to grow in Godly character is to teach them to do a little more than is required of them.

“Don’t do a little, do a little extra.”

That catchy phrase is a fun way to embed the principle of honor into children’s minds.

EXAMPLE

As I was teaching my son to make his bed, some mornings I would surprise him and make it for him. Then I would say, “I didn’t do a little. I did a little extra!”

During dinner, I would ask my son to put the napkins on the table.

Once he did that task routinely and cheerfully for a few days, I then gave a little hint that putting the forks on the table along with the napkins would be doing a little extra. When he put the forks on the table, my sincere praise of his character growth reinforced this principle of honoring by doing a little extra.

A few days later, I asked my son to put napkins on the table, and lo and behold, forks were there too. “Why,” I asked, “did you put forks on the table?”

He beamed his lovely smile and sheepishly whispered, “I did a little extra.”

“How honoring!”

What a time for hugs and kisses! The principle of honor was taking root as it was carried out in a practical way.


Lord,
Open our eyes to the many avenues
we have to instruct our children in Biblical principles
throughout the day.

Just as You keep us close to Your heart, place that desire in us—
to keep our precious children near
so we can minister to them
as we watch them grow into steadfast young people.

Our time with them is so short.
Help us to live our lives so we enjoy the process
of parenting our children
to Your glory!


Give preference to one another in honor.
~Romans 12:10


Other articles in this Discipling Reasoning Children series:


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