Role Models

It’s tough when children and tweenagers (10-12 year olds) chose inappropriate celebrity role models. Here are some ideas that may help you counteract the effects of a negative influence.

- Avoid being critical. Do not demean a negative role model; simply make observations about his or her behavior or lifestyle - without condemning the person or being too sarcastic.

- Be the best influence. Keep in mind that a child’s most important influence is still his or her parents, not a sports figure or a music star.

- Encourage research. Allow your child or tweenager to get a good understanding about the details of a role model’s life by exploring magazines and Internet articles.

- Provide options. Do not focus on the TV and movies. Expose your child or tweenager to a diversity of experiences by visiting libraries, museums, plays, and non-pop music concerts. Checking with local libraries and community centers are a good place to start for inexpensive ideas.

- Share with your child. Talk about your appropriate role models when you were your child’s age.

A Parent's Calling

Part of a parent’s calling is to model obedience to God and to teach his or her children God’s Word (this is also part of the parents' promise in the order of Baptism for most denominations).

So, how do we live up to this call? I would like to encourage you to make this "teaching" a 24/7/365 priority. Parenting must become intentional. Commit to a conscious and prayerful effort to seize every opportunity to teach your child, tweenage, teenager and/or young adult God’s Word. We must be there with our children. How much time are we spending with our children? We cannot take advantage of teachable moments as they arise unless we are present. There must also be planned times of "teaching". Because teachable moments do not always present themselves, it is crucial to set aside planned time for Bible study to keep your family spiritually focused.