The Best Way to be a Good Parent
"However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." - Ephesians 5:33
The best way to be a good parent is for dad to love mom, and mom to love dad. Nothing gives a child greater security than seeing that mom and dad really love one another. When love is modeled in front of the child on a daily basis, the child grows to understand how God wants families and people to love and respect one another. The child feels secure in his home and is emotionally able to receive instruction, wisdom, and discipline from his parents.
If you are divorced, you may be thinking, "Well, that leaves me out of the process." Actually, there is an even greater message for divorced parents. Seek to never tear down your ex in front of your child. You may feel the comments are fully justified, but your criticism crushes the spirit of that child. That's because every child has their identity wrapped up in both mom and dad. Remember, when you criticize your ex-spouse in front of the child, you are actually criticizing half of your child.
The best thing mom and dad can do is to love each other. But if that love has left, then it's even more important that the child witness mom and dad demonstrating respect for one another.
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3 Comments
My first marriage ended in divorce. We had two children; boy 8, girl 5. We had the speak well of each other rule, which I followed. Years later, I found that my first wife violated it in spades with our daughter. That daughter is now 40. We have worked through all that now and have a very close relationship. But, she suffered neednlessly because of her mother's need to justify herself. PLEASE heed today's message if you are in this situation. Put your child first. You will never regret it. - Grant
Today I read they article and it bless me I will try to remember that bad word can hurt your kid. I will try much nicer to grandson who is rebellious and say bad word to. And answer with god answers. - Patricia
I think it was a great article sometime we as people to tell our love one that we love them. Well after this I'm going tell my husband that I love him. Thank you again! - Patricia