We’re been through an emotional week around here. My stepmom finally lost her long battle with ovarian cancer and went to be with the Lord. That caused us to have lots of activities added to the calendar that we weren’t expecting… such as helping my dad to clean out her personal items, the visitation, and the funeral.
As you can imagine, the week did not go according to my prior plans.
It was supposed to be our last week of homeschooling before summer break – and we didn’t crack one book open. We did, however, learn a lot. We learned about what’s really important in life.
More than any books read, math facts learned, or scientific theories understood, these 5 things are the most important things to teach your child:
1 – Relationship with God – If this isn’t in place, nothing else matters. No matter how academically or athletically or musically accomplished they become, if they don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus then it is all for nothing. Help your kids to build a strong relationship with God and everything else in their lives will fall into place.
2 – Relationship with Spouse – Your kids need to see you and your spouse communicating well, working together, and loving each other so that they will know how to treat their spouses someday. As they witness the tender moments of you two ministering to each other, they will also benefit greatly from the stability of your relationship.
3 – Relationship with Children – It’s easy to damage our relationships with our kids by being focused on our role as teacher (or taskmaster.) It’s more important that we build strong bonds with our kids than that we insist they complete their math workbooks each year. We need to listen to them… study them, and respect them. Appreciate them for who they are rather than who you wish they were. Help them to become all that God wants them to be.
4 – Relationship with Parents – Our kids are watching how we treat our parents. Do we honor them? Do we make time for them? Chances are, the way we treat our parents is the way our kids will treat us someday.
5 – Relationship with Others – God wants us to love each other the way we love ourselves. It’s important that we teach the Golden Rule to our kids. Make volunteering a family priority. Teach your kids to be bold in their faith. Train them to vote and to be informed about our world. Show them how to be kind to others.
If we teach our kids these five things, we can be ensured that they will have true success in life. Our relationships are the only things we get to bring with us into eternity. The next time you’re tempted to sacrifice one of the above things for something less important, remember what truly matters.
Question: How are your kids doing in the above areas? In which area do you struggle the most? Please leave a comment below.
I’m so sorry about your loss. I totally agree that relationships are the most important thing to be working on and building into with our children. Glad I saw you at the Pintastic Pining Party
Thank-you! I appreciate that. 🙂
First, I am sorry for your loss. These must be such difficult days for you.
You have offered parents such good advice and I love that your 5 points all involve relationships with others.
Thanks, Tina. I appreciate it. 🙂
This is so true! Authentic connection with others is one of the most important things in life, yet too often we don’t realize that until it’s too late. Hopefully your writing will help at least one person avoid that mistake! Visiting you from Thoughtful Thursdays.
Thanks! I hope so!!!
I’m so sorry to hear about your stepmom. You’re absolutely right – the most important things we teach are children aren’t academic at all. It’s about being a good person and appreciating what we have.
There are a lot of life lessons kids need to learn. You have summarized them very well based on the hierarchy. I completely agree with you. Thank you very much for sharing with us.
This is something I have been thinking about lately. I am praying God helps me with priorities and really loving God and family. I don’t know if my kids really see this in me sometimes.
Thanks for your honest comment, Elizabeth. I think the fact that you even care is a good sign. God will definitely help you with this! I pray for myself for similar things. It isn’t always easy to be loving in our crazy busy culture. Hang in there! And let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. (hugs)
Amen and amen!