Food for Thought for Parents

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Poetry was one of the subjects we had in primary school. As far I can remember, our poetry class was always exciting and one we looked forward to. Poems were given as home work and we looked forward to the next class to see who could recite them correctly. Two of the poems I can remember are Mr. Nobody and My Mother. These poems were embodied with good morals to foster healthy parent-child relationship, honesty, discipline, love and responsibility.

The words of these poems still ring in my head and over the years, they have played vital parts in determining my character and the values I upload. Not only were we made to memorise these poems, the lessons to be learnt were explained to our comprehension. In addition we had Moral Instructions to complement the poetry classes. These classes built on the values we were taught at home by our parents.


It is the responsibility of parent so train their children and imbibe in them good moral values. School teachers should then build on what they have been taught at home. But often than not, the most parents need to be taught as they have nothing good to offer their children. It is important that children are taught early in life so they do not depart from them as they mature and become adults. As it is widely said charity begins at home, so does discipline and responsibility.

Making a decision to have a child comes with great responsibility. The life and future of the child lies in the hands of the parent. Today lots of people get married for the wrong reasons, without careful consideration of the vows taken or the responsibility that lie ahead. Many do not value or respect the sanctity of the marriage institution. Marriage certificates are widely seen as just a piece of paper and today, single parents abound so also do children in broken homes and dysfunctional families. I have had the opportunity to serve as a teaching fellow in a High School and the behaviours of kids in school is worrying.

The term family has taken a different meaning. We were taught that a family consists of a father, mother and children as ordained by God. That definition no longer holds in this modern day and age as many have changed the natural use of themselves.

Romans 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

Contrary to the norm, teenagers can be brought up to be respectable adults, obedient and morally upright. They do not necessarily have to be bad behaved, involved in drugs, truancy, fornication, teenage pregnancy, or perpetrate gang related crimes. The bible provides the resources, examples teachings and methods apt to bring up a child in a Godly way. It holds the key to the future of the child and the weapon to fight our dynamic society laden with illicit views and opinions on fast track to destruction.

For those with children, how do you see them in the next 5 years, what character do you want them to possess? Are you teaching them the right values? It is not too late to start today. For those planning to have children, have you stopped to think about the responsibilities you’re about to take? And are you prepared for them?

Recommended Reading

  • Ages and Stages: A Parents Guide to Normal Childhood Development: A Parent’s Guide to Normal Childhood Development


    The only comprehensive guide to a child’s psychological development from birth to age 10 .Ages and Stages is the first and only book to cover the five major areas of a child’s psychological development–emotional, cognitive, friendship/relationships, personal growth, and morality (other books on the market only cover one or two areas).Written in an engaging and down-to-earth style, Ages and Stages offers parents the most current information on childhood development. Parents are told what range of behaviours and development to expect as their child grows and are given tips and techniques that will help guide their child to the next stage of development.Filled with easy-to-follow “Parent Do’s and Don’ts,” this guide provides parents with a supportive, non-alarmist view of childhood development that helps nurture the parent-child bond and sets this book apart from most other parenting books. The special format is divided into four age categories of development–birth to 18 months, 18 months to 36 months, 3 to age 6, and 6 to age 10.

    This valuable guide promotes parental involvement and activity with their child and helps parents assess if and when a child may need professional intervention

  • Raising Great Kids: A Comprehensive Guide to Parenting with Grace and Truth


    What does it take to raise great kids? If you’ve read any books on parenting, conflicting opinions have probably left you feeling confused. Get tough! Show acceptance. Lay down the rules. Lighten up, already! – There’s got to be a balance — and there is.Joining their expertise with the wisdom of MOPS International (Mothers of Preschoolers), Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend help you provide both the care and acceptance that make grace real to your child, and the firmness and discipline that give direction. Avoiding the twin extremes of permissiveness and over-control, Drs. Cloud and Townsend show how you can help your child cultivate six necessary character traits: attachment, responsibility, reality, competence, morality, and worship/spiritual life.At last, here is an effective middle ground for raising up children who will handle life with maturity and wisdom. Raising Great Kids will help you equip your son or daughter to accept life’s responsibilities, grow from its challenges, and freely and fully explore all that it has to offer

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About Author

Pele began his education in Nigeria before moving to the UK for a masters degree and subsequently a PhD in computer science. The sharp contrast in life and morals in the UK motivated him to start his blog, a website dedicated to sharing candid and virtuous views to enable individuals and families maximize their potentials in life, relationships and finances.

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