Building A Godly Home:
Like a Loving Parent
Raising Godly Children
Parenting is one of the greatest callings God can have for your life. Each stage of a child's life presents different challenges and opportunities for shaping. Below are three stages of life that every child will go through and recommendations that you can focus on for shaping. These were pulled from a teaching by Pastor Larry Stockstill.
The Three Ages and Stages of Life Formation When Raising Kids
By Larry Stockstill
Birth to preschool (yrs 0–4)
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Start Soon - At age 4–5, character formation is complete. That is the first 200–250 weekends.
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Win every Battle - a) Battles with a child start to show up around 8 months old. b) Read the book Boundaries for Kids by Cloud and Townsend.
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Learn to Listen - a) Your child needs at least 15 minutes a day of quality time where you are totally focused on them and listening to their heart. b) Don’t be distracted at home.
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Keep your Eyes on them - a) Pools, pals, phones, and predators are the highest risks to kids in today's culture.
Elementary to middle school (yrs 4–10)
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Put them First - a) There are ten expensive items you have to financially prepare for: birth, food and clothing, school, sports, music lessons and instruments, braces, car, college, wedding, house down payment.
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Teach them the Word - a) Read them a Bible story daily. b) Get them in children’s church weekly. c) Send them to camp and on mission trips annually.
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Make Memories - a) Take them on an annual vacation. b) Make holidays special. c) Go fishing and camping
Middle and high school (yrs 11–18)
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Build their Confidence - a) Speak positive words over them. b) Get them tested for learning problems.
c) Be personally involved in their life. d) Teach them a trade and life skills. e) Talk to them about their purpose. -
Teach them Finances - a) Teach them to tithe and save. b) Teach them hard work. c) Start retirement early. d) College for marketable skills only — no debt.
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Reward Responsibility - a) Show them that taking responsibility brings privileges (not nagging, pouting, or manipulation). Every time they take responsibility, they receive more privileges (and vice versa).
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Find their Spouse - a) Tell them early that you will help them find their spouse. b) Questions to ask: background, family, stability, work ethic, grades, etc.