Motivating Your Kids to Reflect the Character of God

Teaching character to children and motivating them to embrace change can be a challenge. So where do you begin?

Dr. Kathy Koch says you do it by strengthening your relationship with your child. You can help your child feel known and understood and intentionally impart character qualities like resilience, humility, self-respect, respect for others, and self-control.

It comes through relationship. You first model those qualities, then you guide your children as they learn to interact with life the same way. Mom and Dad’s roles are primarily to be a teacher, a coach, a cheerleader, and a referee. Dr. Koch saysthose roles identify how to interact with a child in ways that communicate well and that address five core needs of a child:

• Security – Who can I trust?
• Identity – Who am I?
• Belonging – Who wants me?
• Purpose – Why am I alive?
• Competence – What do I do well?

Here at Focus on the Family, we teach moms and dads to parent with the end in mind. Start with where you want your children to end up. That’s what Jean and I have tried to do with our boys.

We equip parents with the tools and godly wisdom they need to raise their children from infants to adults who love the Lord and love those around them. We help parents understand the importance of their relationship with their children, how they can teach and model godly character, and how they motivate the necessary changes in their kids’ behavior and attitude.

Dr. Kathy Koch is with us on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Motivating Your Kids to Reflect the Character of God” to share secrets to better communication with your child – like talking in the dark, doing things side-by-side, or spending time together in the car. You’ll also learn how to interact with your child in one of the four parenting roles.

You can hear the program on your local radio station,online, oniTunes, via Podcast, or on our free phone app, or watch the full program on our YouTubechannel.

I hope you’ll also check out Dr. Koch’s book Start with the Heart: How to Motivate Your Kids to Be Compassionate, Responsible and Brave, (Even When You’re Not Around). It’s available in our online bookstore, but if you’ll become a monthly ministry partner, we’ll send you a copy.

To make your pledge, or for more information about our “Friends of Focus on the Family” program, visit our websiteor call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459). Thank you for partnering with us to help families in need.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family, kids, parenting March 7, 2019 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura