Teaching Kids to Love God and Serve Others Well

When my son, Trent, was a teenager, I asked him to rake pine needles out of a rock bed in the front yard. He did a good job, but a couple of times I had to urge him to give a little more effort. Trent often declared a task “good enough” a bit too soon.

My younger son, Troy, faced a different problem. He was so meticulous, he might have kept on raking pine needles until he’d picked up every last one in the neighborhood.

The same task brought out different strengths and different opportunities for growth in each of my boys. One needed to learn to try harder. The other needed to learn to be satisfied with his efforts.

In effective parenting, everyday household chores are an opportunity to mold your child’s character. Washing dishes is about more than completing a task. It’s about the heart and attitude that goes into it. The hope is to raise our children into young men and women with servants’ hearts, who don’t shrink back from hard things.

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Teaching kids to Love God and Serve Others Well,” I’m talking with author Monica Swanson about how to instill your children with foundational principles of faith and godly character.

Monica shares how to become an “all-in” parent by:

Being fully present. Put down your phone, pay attention, and listen to your children.
Being a person of your word. Earn your child’s trust through integrity, doing what you say you’ll do, and being who you say you are.
Showing up when you’re needed. Children spell love “T-I-M-E.” Give your family as much quality time as you can.
Having fun. Laughter connects and unites families.
Apologizing and asking for forgiveness when necessary.

Children benefit from hard work and experiencing the satisfaction of a job well done. It’s one of the ways God has enabled Christian parents to pass on their faith through the “every day-ness” of life.

Listen to my full conversation with Monica Swanson on your local radio station, online, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, via Google Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.

Before I close, I’d like to extend an invitation for you to become a special partner with us through our monthly “Friends of Focus on the Family” program. When you do, I’ll send you a copy of Monica Swanson’s book Raising Amazing: Bringing Up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked as a way of saying thank you for touching others with the love of Christ. You’ll also receive member-exclusive benefits. To make your pledge, or for more information, click here or call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).