More info in our Kids/Parents

Think of this illustration. An arrow is more likely to hit the target if the archer aims and releases it in calm conditions. Similarly, children are more likely to learn to love Jehovah if parents create a peaceful home environment. “The fruit of righteousness has its seed sown under peaceful conditions for those who are making peace,” wrote James. (James 3:18) How can parents create a peaceful environment at home? A married couple needs to maintain a strong marital bond. A husband and wife who love and respect each other have a better chance of teaching their children to love and respect others, including Jehovah. Love and respect promote peace. And a couple who are at peace with each other are better able to deal with conflicts that may arise within the family.

Of course, just as there are no perfect marriages, there are no perfect families on earth at present. Parents may at times fail to display the fruitage of the spirit when dealing with their children. When that happens, what should parents do? If they admit to making a mistake, will it lessen a child’s respect for them? Consider the apostle Paul’s example. He was like a spiritual father to many. Yet, he openly admitted that he made mistakes. Even so, his humility and honesty raise our respect for him rather than diminish it. Despite his shortcomings, Paul could confidently write to the congregation in Corinth: “Become imitators of me, even as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) If you too admit your mistakes, your children will likely overlook your failings.

What else can parents do to create an environment where their children can grow to love Jehovah? The apostle John wrote: “If anyone makes the statement: ‘I love God,’ and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20, 21) Therefore, when you train your children to love their Christian brothers and sisters, you are teaching them to love God. Parents do well to ask themselves, ‘Is the dominant tone of my conversations encouraging or critical?’ How can you know? Listen closely to the way your children speak. You are likely to hear your thoughts echoed when they speak.

A Child’s Responsibility

Consider again the illustration of the archer. Although he may be skilled, he is unlikely to hit the target if the arrow he shoots has become bent or warped. Of course, parents will try hard to straighten the bent arrow, so to speak, by striving to adjust a child’s wrong thinking. But children must eventually decide for themselves whether to let this world bend them to its will or to allow Jehovah to make their “paths straight.”

While parents have a weighty responsibility to raise their children in “the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah,” the final decision as to what a child will grow up to become rests with the child himself. Therefore, children, ask yourselves, ‘Will I accept the loving training my parents provide?’ If you do, you will be choosing the best possible way of life. You will make your parents very happy. Most important, you will make Jehovah’s heart rejoice.

But remember "parents have a weighty responsibility to raise their children in “the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah"

Parents themselves have to listen to Jehovah......