What’s Important to a Child?

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4

What is important to children? What makes children feel safe and secure in the home setting?

1. They need to feel that they belong to the family unit. Children need to feel that they are wanted, that you delight in them, that they have the tenderest place in your heart.

2. They need to feel a sense of worth. They need to know that you think they are somebody special - there’s no one like them.

3. They need to feel competent to do what is expected of them. It is destructive to one’s self-worth to be expected to do something that is beyond your ability to perform.

All of these are essential to the good spiritual, mental, moral, and emotional health of any child.

Parents, as you look at your children, can you see all three of these elements strongly developed in his or her life? You have the opportunity to change those areas which are weak or nonexistent. With Christ as your life, you can humbly ask for forgiveness where you’ve failed and start again in your attempt to parent that little one who is a gift of life from the Lord.

Children need to feel that they belong and possess a sense of self-worth and a level of competency.