It can be frustrating when you check out an article and the thoughts seem well-intentioned but in the end, it’s all just lofty ideas. You know it will never work or you honestly, just won’t do it.
I hope this one is different. I hope you find practical tips on raising your kids with godly character and I hope you will share some of your personal tips with us.
Over the past two weeks, I have written two articles about Raising Kids with godly character Parts 1 and 2 (here). I have to admit, it is not easy and my kids can at times show anything but. Here’s the kicker. We ALL fall short.
These are intended to be a jumping point, a starting block, or a fill in the blanks of things we might have overlooked. Not only for you but for my family, too.
I don’t do parenting perfectly, oh how I wish I did, but I know someone who did and I want to parent in His footsteps.
So, I go to Him. I check out His Word and I see how He wants me to live and I know that is how He wants me to raise my children to live.
Not perfect. Just the best I can do for my kids with His purposes in mind.
I hope the tips below are practical and functional and you will gain ideas about how to implement teaching godly character in your family today!
Will you do me a favor? When you are done, go to the comments and give us any other thoughts you have on this topic. Tell us what you do or did that worked and didn’t work in your family. Together we are better.
Tips for Raising Kids with godly Character
Be Intentional
It is easy to think, “I wish that was me”. Maybe, on the contrary, you think, “that could never be me and certainly never my children.” Make it be you! Be intentional in your training. Keep God at the center of your family business. You got this
Be Real
It can even hard for grown-ups to show godly character. Let your kiddos know where you failed and how you have dealt with it.
Making good decisions using the power that He has given us through the Holy Spirit is not a lofty dream. As it becomes age-appropriate, let them know of your struggles and ask them how they would deal with these struggles in their life.
Be in the Trenches With Them
Kids think you are their superhero. Be there! Teach them even when it is hard. Teachable moments (when an opportunity arises) are very impactful because they have real life to draw on.
Again, be real, acknowledge their struggles and help them have a plan to work it out. Help them to create a plan that is pleasing to God.
Be Positive
If you want your kids to do something, tell them what you want them to do. For example: if you want your kids to stop running you could say, “stop running” (let’s be honest, by the time they started listening to you, all they heard was run) or you could tell them what you want them to do. “Walk!”
This response is positive and tells them exactly what you want them to do or what is appropriate. An example of teaching character is “Be kind” “Use loving words” and then have them do just that! Practice the positive so they are going through the motions of the right behavior so it becomes easy and natural.
Be an Example
Kids need godly examples in their life. Find people to surround them that will show that character. It is easy to tell your kids don’t do what I do and expect them to do something else but in reality, it doesn’t work.
We know that kids are seeing more than we think because out of the blue they will parrot back to us what we just did. Let them parrot back godly behavior. And when it does not go back to #2. Be real. Fess up to your error and let them see you correct it.
Practice and Prepare
Don’t leave your kiddos unprepared to face life with no godly guidance. Prepare them in advance by practicing godly behavior when it is easy and when you have their attention.
Practice in the moments while they have you as a safe place to land. Prepare them for independent life as grownups by starting young. Reinforce the behaviors and godly behavior you want them repeating.
Pray for Your Children
We can do our part but we also have to trust that God will do His. Pray for them and His guidance when we have to be away from them. Then Breathe!
God loves your children deeply and His desire is for you to raise them to love Him. You have a teammate that won’t give up and is constantly cheering you on. Christ is on your side you can trust Him as your Good Good Father.
Find Good, godly, Trusted Resources
for raising your children. If something doesn’t work, don’t lose hope. Don’t give up. Parenting is not easy and it is okay for you to admit that and seek godly advice and guidance.
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 doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV)
Thanks so much for joining us today. I hope you enjoyed Practical Tips for Raising kids with godly character. If you missed the first part of this series you can find it here!
Thanks for joining me today. If you are blessed by these posts, please share them with your friends. I love making connections, so please find me hanging out on any my social media pages.
I am glad you are here. I would love for you to join us at Seeking God Daily. Because a couple friends and I are passionate about sharing God’s Word we have joined forces to bring together a Facebook Group called Seeking God Daily.
Seeking God Daily is a group that offers hope, encouragement, and support in learning God’s Word and applying the truths to our walk with Christ. We want to encourage one another through authentic, honest and respectful conversation as we earnestly seek God daily.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
We’re doing life together so come and join in the conversations. You can join this group by clicking HERE! While you are there feel free to invite some friends along for the journey. We would love to have them!
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Yes, yes, yes, Jamie, to these practical tips for raising kids with Godly character! I especially love your counsel to "be intentional." My husband I talked about that very thing long before we had children. We knew that in our home, we wanted to make God the hub of our life's wheel, not just a spoke. We've tried to weave Him into the fabric of our family's life, and now our teenage daughters are actively nurturing a faith in Jesus they've made their own. It is our greatest joy and blessing. Thank you for this and for hosting #SittingAmongFriends!
What a blessing, Elizabeth! That is so awesome to hear. I love how you pointed out that she made it her own. I could listen to stories like this all day. How God does amazing things when we show up. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom as a mom and for joining us here! Have a great week!
Since writing 52, I learned how to do it right and all the things I shouldn't have done! But, alas, my youngest will be 40 in December! Proud of you girl.
So glad that you are joining us here, Susan. I have put your guest post up on my sidebar for a featured post. This is such a great resource. I am glad that you have shared it with us here! Thank you for all your insight and wisdom, you are appreciated!
Jaime, these practical tips are simply real and amazing. It is so important that we raise our kids with godly character, and by keeping it real in the trenches. "Practice and prepare " is what I have been doing with my 3 year olds(multiples) right now.
Glad to link here with you as well (#5)
Diana
http://dianasdiaries.com
Parenting is so tough. I think it is okay to admit we don't always have it together. I think it is more important to know where to go to get what we need. I am so encouraged to hear that you are starting young and building such a great solid foundation. You have a great week with those little sweeties of yours, Diana.
Praying for you today. It occurred to me as I read that when I write something, I'm usually tested in short order on that very topic, and parenting tests are usually pretty tiring. Thanks for sharing these great practical insights.
You are such a sweet lady and very insightful. This has been something that we have been going through and talking about in my family. I am not sure if this came out of a struggle or leading us into something. Thanks for your prayers. They are greatly appreciated as parenting is always in need of constant prayers. Thanks for joining us here, friend! Have a wonderful week!
I love this list!! It's easy to wish our kids to find Christ and live well without any help from us, but it's not the way it is. Our kids need us every day in all these ways.
The scriptures from Deuteronomy 6:5-9 are some of my foundational verses for our home. These are such good tips Jaime! I like the positive direction and leading by example. Those two have been pivotal in bringing up my kids (teens). It's always a pleasure reading your posts and I'm linking up today 🙂
Great tips, Jaime! I'm winging it most days, but I hope I show my kids more of Jesus then this messy mom. Hugs!
Dear Jaime, I haven't linked in a while as I didn't think I had any suitable content, but this week, I had posted some of my own thoughts on Parenting, so this was meant to be. I think so many elements are involved in good and godly parenting, that it's hard to put your finger on it sometimes. But as I say in that particular post, teaching children to take responsibility, make compromises, study hard, socialise meaningfully, learn the important life lessons, be involved, and appreciate the little things in life, are all vital I believe. I am looking forward to reading some of the links this week. Thanks so much. Mimi xxx
Jaime, this is a great practical list. I love "be real." I think we teach our kids just as much when we blow it and then show them how to get things right. I also like "be in the trenches with them." Too often parents run to their kids defense when they're mistreated (not that there are times when that's necessary), instead of teaching them how to respond biblically, how to handle conflict, and how to show respect for authority. Great post!