Train Up A Child

Train Up A Child dan skognes motivation blogger speaker teacher trainer coach teacher educatorThere is a Proverb that says: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” That is great news and should give you hope if you see kids getting off the path and going in a direction that is not good for them.

Kids need structure. They need to know the proper boundaries and understand the consequences of their decisions. How will they learn these if we as parents and teachers don’t model it for them? Do you want them learning the facts of life in the locker room or on the internet? Probably not! Training begins at home and is reinforced at school. They need both.

If you have a child that was raised to understand basic moral values then you can have peace in knowing that they will come to their senses at some point. They may be bruised from the trip, but they will finally come to a point where they realize that you weren’t so dumb after all. It is funny how smart our parents and teachers become as we get older and experience life. They actually knew what they were talking about! Who knew?  LOL.

If you have kids or grandkids that are under your influence, please train them in the way they should go. There is a lot of negative influence in this world…much of it available 24/7 on the internet. Please don’t give young kids unlimited access to the web. They do not need to see and experience much of what is online these days. The truth is, adults don’t need it either, but like it or not, it is there to experience at the click of a button. Giving kids everything they want is not loving them.  It is just the opposite and will produce an entitlement mentality and rob them of their innocence.

Things you can teach kids that will produce healthy adults:

  • Love God and serve Him all your heart. Putting God first sets the tone for everything else you do in life.
  • Love other people and be willing to serve them. When you learn to be a servant leader, you lead with humility and love.
  • Be willing to work hard for what you want. Don’t expect a handout.
  • Educate yourself continually. Never get to the point where you quit learning.
  • Learn to forgive others who have wronged you. If you don’t you give them power over you and you will be a prisoner of the past.
  • Have an attitude of gratitude. Be grateful for what you have. Learn to say “Thank You.”
  • Be willing to give credit to others. Nobody is solely responsible for their successes. Give credit where credit is due to others that have helped you succeed.
  • Realize that the world does not revolve around you (or me). We are important pieces to the puzzle, but there are many other pieces which are vital to the big picture called life.
  • Teach them the value of a dollar and to live within their means.
  • Teach them to respect their elders and authority. Saying “Yes Sir” and “Yes Mam” goes a long way with those in authority.
  • Teach them to surround themselves with the right type of friends. Evil company will corrupt the best of us.
  • Help them find their passion in life. That is an incredible gift that will propel them into their God-given purpose.

If your child or grandchild has gone down the wrong path, don’t give up on them. Pray for them. Continue to model the proper behavior for them, and don’t lose hope. Set appropriate boundaries, but continue to love them and let them KNOW you love them.  When they get older they will remember your words and your actions.

Shalom!

Dan Skognes

2 Responses to “Train Up A Child”

  1. Mike Lyon says:

    Excellent Dan. God, country, and family. That comes from a career navy guy and now a 5th grade teacher. Nice to see you don’t feel you have to couch your words to be PC. Cheers! Mike

    • Dan Skognes says:

      Thanks for the feedback, Mike, and thanks especially for your service to our country both in the military and as a teacher. God bless. Shalom! Dan