Raising Children With No Regrets

By Author: Mark Arens
Total Articles: 27
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Life can change in an instant. In one single moment, a life can be lost and a life can be forever changed. At the end of one's life, people often look back at what they could have done differently, what they wish they would have accomplished, and most often, what they regret doing or not doing. Parents may deal with these same feelings when raising their children. It is impossible to know the right answer for every problem, ailment or hurt that they may encounter. What parents can do, however, is consistently tell and show their children their love and avoid future regret.

In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the importance of focusing on today. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself" (Matthew 6:34). By focusing on today, parents can truly love their children and honor them for their uniqueness and individuality. What kids need most is unconditional love from those they look to most - their parents. And parents are called to fulfill that longing just as God bestowed his love on His Son and us as well.

The easiest way parents can display their love for their children is by ...
... saying "I love you" every day. We all live busy, hectic lives, which often distracts us from the three simple words that can make the difference in all relationships, especially parent-child relationships. Even in the midst of arguments and struggles, a parent can still reaffirm his or her love for the child by saying, "I love you, even if you make choices I do not agree with." Kids need to know that they are loved regardless of their actions, and parents should emphasize that fact to avoid any later regrets.

Positive youth development is directly correlated with a parent's show of love. If children do not find the love and security they need from their parents, they will undoubtedly look elsewhere to fulfill that need. The children that most often fall victim to peer pressure or suffer from depression are the ones without a stable home life in which they are consistently reassured of their parent's love. Parents need to consciously show their love for their children by what they say and how they treat their kids. When the children have grown up and enter the world as an independent adult, they should feel secure in who they are and where they come from. This begins with the parents, and parents can avoid any future regrets by actively loving their children from the start.

When parents use positive and encouraging words when interacting with their kids and when parents say "I love you" on a daily basis, children know they are loved unconditionally. This also builds their self confidence and feelings of self worth. When parents reaffirm their children for who they are and what they bring to the world, they become secure in who they are and they believe that they can make a difference. And when parents seize the moment and routinely show their unconditional love for their children, they know they will avoid any regrets in the future.
Mark Arens, owner of ThumbPeople, Inc. & author of Thumbuddy Books & products, shares his heart on the importance of spending time together as a family. ThumbPeople provides traditional children's products and books that help build and fortify strong relationships within the family. Building self worth and self respect within our children is vital. Visit ThumbPeople for more -->> http://www.thumbuddyspecial.com