WE CAN HAVE MUCH JOY FROM RAISING CHILDREN! ??

[Bible Speaks]

WE CAN HAVE MUCH JOY FROM RAISING CHILDREN! - THEY ARE A GIFT! - TEACH THEM AND THEY WILL GIVE YOU GREAT JOY NOW AND IN THE FUTURE! ??????

Daily Attention From Infancy

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Parents have to give almost constant attention to a newborn. However, does the baby need only physical or material attention on a daily basis? To God’s servant Timothy, the apostle Paul wrote: “From infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation.” (2 Timothy 3:15) So the parental attention Timothy received, even from infancy, was also of a spiritual kind. But when does infancy start?

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The Greek word Paul used here (bre′phos) is also applied to an unborn child. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptizer, told her relative Mary: “As the sound of your greeting fell upon my ears, the infant [bre′phos] in my womb leaped with great gladness.” (Luke 1:44) Thus, even the unborn are called infants, and the Bible shows that they can respond to activity outside the womb. Should prenatal care, which is often encouraged today, therefore include attention to the unborn infant’s spiritual welfare?

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This is something to consider, since evidence reveals that the unborn can either benefit from or be adversely affected by what they hear. A music director found that various scores he was rehearsing sounded strangely familiar, especially the cello part. When he mentioned the names of the musical works to his mother, a professional cellist, she said that these were the very musical compositions she had been rehearsing when she was pregnant with him. Similarly, the unborn may be negatively affected when their mothers habitually watch TV soap operas. Thus, a medical journal spoke of “fetal soap addiction.”

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Realizing the benefit of positive stimuli to infants, many parents begin to read, talk, and sing to their child even before it is born. You can do the same. While your infant may not understand the words, it will likely benefit from your soothing voice and its loving tone. After birth, the child will begin to comprehend your words, perhaps much sooner than you think. In only two or three years, a child learns a complex language just by being exposed to it. A baby can also begin to learn the “pure language” of Bible truth.—Zephaniah 3:9.

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Specialized Care That Is Needed

Children also are like plants in that not all have the same characteristics, nor do they all respond to the same methods of care. Wise parents will respect the differences and will avoid comparing one child with another. If your children are to blossom into wholesome adults, you need to observe their distinctive personality traits, cultivating the good ones and weeding out the bad. What if you detect a weakness or improper trend, perhaps toward dishonesty, materialism, or selfishness? Correct it kindly, even as Jesus corrected the weaknesses of his apostles. (Mark 9:33-37) In particular, commend each child regularly for his strengths and good traits.

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What children especially need is loving personal attention. Jesus took time to provide little ones with such special attention, even during the busy final days of his ministry. (Mark 10:13-16, 32) Parents, follow that example! Unselfishly make time to be with your children. And do not be ashamed to show them genuine love. Put your arms around them, as Jesus did. Give them warm, affectionate hugs and kisses. When parents of well-adjusted young adults were asked what advice they could offer other parents, among the most frequent responses were: ‘Love abundantly,’ ‘spend time together,’ ‘develop mutual respect,’ ‘really listen to them,’ ‘offer guidance rather than a speech,’ and ‘be realistic.’

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Providing such specialized attention can be a joy!

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