10 Things Parents Should Always Say to Their Kids

[Des]

1. "You should try harder." This simple phrase keeps kids from getting a big head as well as reminding them that they need to strive toward the perfection of our Lord and role model, Jesus. It also teaches them early on that no matter how hard they try, they will never be as good as Jesus.


2. "You don't need that cupcake." Gluttony needs to be nipped in the bud as early as possible. Make the child aware of their self image as soon as they are old enough to speak.


3. "You always..." or "You never..." Establish this one early on to get a jump-start on thinking in terms of absolutes.


4. "Why can't you be more like your brother?" Keep their competative levels high by constantly comparing them to their siblings.


5. "I told you so." This one reminds them that, like God, the parent is always right and always knows best.


6. "You're great at..." To set the stage for future encouragement by making them feel obligated to perform well.


7. "Don't worry." Fears and other emotions need to be repressed ASAP. Remind them often to not worry, suck it up, take it like a man, etc.


8. "Because I said so!" Reminds them rules are to be obeyed, not questioned.


9. "I don't want you hanging around that kid." Teaches them that our morals are inflexible and that few meet God's standards.


10. "That's not how you do it." Shove the kid aside and do it yourself to show them that no matter what they achieve, they will never do it as well as a parental figure.

[Didymus Much]

Re: 10 Things Parents Should Always Say to Their Kids

11. "Do what I tell you or suffer the consequences." Plenty of Biblical wisdom there. Does Jesus ever compromise His standards? Nope.

[Pastor Ezekiel]

Re: 10 Things Parents Should Always Say to Their Kids

12: Go get me something to beat you with!


That was my father's favorite expression.

[Witch Hammer]

Re: 10 Things Parents Should Always Say to Their Kids

13. Cry me a river, sissy boy!
14. You're worthless!

[Samuel Hubbard]

Re: 10 Things Parents Should Always Say to Their Kids

15. "If you have a problem with it, go talk to your father, but make sure you bring something for him to beat you with." My mother used this one a lot when my siblings or myself would complain about somethingshe wanted us to do.

16. "You'll never find a husband if you keep acting like that." There was a span of time when my sister Michel would hear this at least once from both parents on a daily basis. Esther told me that she's heard the same thing several times in the past.

[Ezekiel Bathfire]

Re: 10 Things Parents Should Always Say to Their Kids

Jesus saw you do that, now go and pray for forgiveness.
Jesus knows all your thoughts. (with an optional, "He sees into the hearts of men.")

[Elmer G. White]

Re: 10 Things Parents Should Always Say to Their Kids

What a wonderful and useful post. I'll be applying these to my everyday life immediately. However, one of these points made me initially slightly uneasy.

4. "Why can't you be more like your brother?" Keep their competative levels high by constantly comparing them to their siblings.

Now, my eldest, Matt certainly is a wonderful example to his siblings and I have frequently compared his brothers to Matt's immaculate composure. But then there is the second eldest, Mark. It is painful to confess that it has not been easy with Mark. He's never shown interest to guns, hunting or marriage and - I'm most ashamed - I always thought he showed some tendencies of Socratic love. Homeric tendencies. Things were not going well and I could really not say to the young 'uns Luke and John that they should be like Mark. Things were very tense at home with Mark and I felt that my own teenage experimentation with Platonic issues was punished by giving me a pervert son.



But prayer is ALWAYS effective.

Hebrews 11:40
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Mark's life has turned to the better. I'm telling this to encourage our Brethren to get mentors to our sons who show homeristic characteristics. Mark has been all but adopted by an elderly gentleman, who has resisted the lures of fornication for his whole life and remains unmarried. He's into the high arts, including the opera and visual arts. Mark has become his assistant and practically lives with his mentor now. There is even a gun collection apparently, as Mark spends hours taking care of and polishing the weapon of this man. I am so thankful to this gentleman and Jesus. AND - I can now say with confidence to Luke and John that they should be like their brother Mark. I can even chastise Matt by referring to his younger brother now. Jesus provides and Satan has lost one adolescent whom he tried to seduce into Greek love.



(Baby Paul is less than one year old and I have not yet talked to him, he's annoying).

James 1:9
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:




Yours in Christ,

Elmer