It didn’t take long after my first son was born to realize that my husband and I would be responsible for teaching him (and our next two sons) many important life lessons. Add to that our goal of raising our children for the Lord, and we knew we’d have to be intentional about instilling purpose in their lives. So here are some things we learned that might be helpful for you…
Teach your children to listen—for your voice and for God’s—and then expect them to do what you tell them to do. If they won’t listen to your instructions, they certainly won’t listen to God’s. And teaching them to mind you will develop the skills they’ll need for minding God when they’re grown…even in circumstances that may not make sense at the time.
Show them by example about helping others. Let them discover the joy that comes from doing good deeds.
Teach them about character—and keep in mind that they will watch how you live just as much as they listen to what you say. No child will be perfect (and that shouldn’t be expected), but set standards for them.
Help your child build a good work ethic. Give them responsibility and make them stay with the tasks until they are performed in the way they should be.
Character truly does count. And kids with purpose will grow up to become men and women who will change their world for God. {eoa}
Michelle Cox is the creator and developer of the Just 18 Summers® brand of parenting products and resources. Her Just 18 Summers novel (co-authored with Rene Gutteridge) is available now. Check out her two new books, God Glimpses from the Jewelry Box and God Glimpses from the Toolbox at GodGlimpses.com.
This article originally appeared at just18summers.com.
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett