Individualize Each Child's Upbringing
January, 2006

Dear Dads,

It is very important to understand that none of your children are alike and parents should not try to raise each child exactly the same.

Besides doing everything you can to help your children receive Christ as their Savior at an early age, the following point could be the most important objective parents should strive for.

Key point for dads:

It is critical to realize that God has made each of your children with their own unique personality and characteristics. A parent's job is to properly understand and know each child and then guide him or her in the way that God intends.

Great Bible verses for this are:

Psalm 139:13 "Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb."

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go"

Ephesians 6:4 "Fathers, do not exasperate your children"

It is critical to take the time to really know and understand each child so you can help him or her along the path that God uniquely intends- in contrast to forcing your own biases on them.

Scary prediction: If you do not raise your children individually as God intends, don't be surprised if they become exasperated with your expectations that don't fit and depart from Him when they grow up, if not sooner.

It will sure make things a lot nicer if you encourage your children to do what they can do and not try to force them to do what they were not created to do.