Praise Your Children
July, 2005

Dear Dads,

We fathers need to realize the critical role that praise has in leading our children to good behavior and Godly lives. Too much criticism without a lot of praise can really do a person in.

I was told when our children were young that for every negative comment to my child, I should make four positive comments. I think that is a good ratio to strive for, especially since negative comments seem to come out so much easier than positive ones.

Key point for dads:

Dads need to praise their children a lot, especially for Godly behavior.

Important Bible verses:

Proverbs 16:24- "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

Proverbs 18:19- "An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city."

I Thessalonians 5:11- "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up"

People respond better to positive reinforcement than to negative criticism. Don't we all want to do even better when someone praises or encourages us?

Be proactive in looking for actions in your children that deserve praise. "Catch them" exhibiting good behavior or Godly character or actions, and let them know how much you like that.

Let's make sure we're doing the same for our wives.

Your brother in Christ,

Al Wylie

ISM Board Member