A parent's SOLE responsibilty

Who's running around Walmart these days? DISOBEDIENT CHILDREN & PASSIVE PARENTS! I really dislike Walmart but try as I might I always end up paying them a visit for one reason or another. Oh, I'm not implying that Walmart has anything to do with the following experience I am about to share with you. (I'm just saying I hate Walmart)

So here's this mom; a toddler in the front seat, a preschooler in the cart and two children tagging along behind. I'm thinking ages 7-10 give or take. Forgive me if this story is the norm but you have to remember that I live in a bubble, in the country, and not much of a 'get around town' kinda girl. (the kind that hits all the stores all the time)

Back to the little family. Mom says to one of the boys in tow. "Here is the shirt I picked out for your pictures." Son shoots back with, "I don't like that shirt and I'm not wearing it." Mom~"Well you are going to have to, it's one of the cheaper ones." Child, in a hot, irritated voice. "Mom, I don't think you're listening to me. I said I'm NOT wearing it. So just put it back on the rack right now. You never listen, never, now put it back."

Obviously embarrassed mother steps up her pace in the hopes of being able to 'close' down the conversation. However, son was not going to let that happen. In a voice well above talking he shouts, "Mom, slow down, what the he** do you think you're doing? I was talking to you now stop walking right now."

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I was saddened by this whole scene. The love and respect between parents and children is such a positive thing to have and I hope that all parents who struggle can overcome these obvious trials and bring back peace into their homes. But it has to begin with mom's and dad's and much prayer. (I need to add that I understand there are families who struggle with a son or daughter who is suffering from emotional imbalances & my heart goes out to you as you give everything you have to help these little ones. Even children without obvious problems can be a challenge to their parents. But what I am trying to express in this post is bottom line, that we can't leave it to 'chance' how our children are being raised. Effort is key, diligence, prayer, etc. It is these things when in lack that we find ourselves drowning. Where there is no vision the people perish! But I know if we seek the Lord, pray, hope, love, and keep being consistent then the blessings will come.)~this is my eye's being opened edit

"A parent's sole responsibility"

There are many parents today, in and out of church who seem to have lost all common sense when it comes to raising children and teaching them to obey. Training our children in obedience leads to many God given blessings. Blessings I'm sure as parents we all hope to see in our children. Obedience opens the door to our children's hearts and better enables our teachings to find a place in their lives. Our one, true, and noblest example of obedience is our Savior Jesus Christ.

My question is why? Why is it so easy to be passive in the training of our children? I've come up with some examples of what can cause us to be a bit laid back in this responsibility.

Parental inexperience, (obviously a new parent will have inexperience, that's where scripture comes in, especially Proverbs) feeling inadequate, perhaps a bit apprehensive to fully, 100% expect obedience from our little ones. Maybe we fear that they won't love us, respect us, or end up resenting us because of our expectations we have for them. But as their parents it is our Godly role to see to this facet of their lives. Consider Eli and his sons. Eli was chastised by God for honoring his sons before God. God held Eli responsible for the desecration of the tabernacle because his son's made themselves vile and he restrained them not. Did Eli ever have a handle on his sons? Did he ever teach them about authority? Were they ever expected to obey mother and father, thereby teaching them obedience to authority? I feel that in order to obey our Father in heaven, obedience must first be learned on earth, in our home, under the righteous authority of the parents. It is very easy to allow small acts of defiance to go unpunished while raising our children. But we must remember that those small acts of defiance, if allowed to continue unchecked will grow into bigger acts in later years.

"One who has never been in the habit of submitting to others, will always be headstrong and self-willed; and such a character nobody loves." Harvey Newcomb

It has been my experience that when a child falls into 'woes' I must ask myself if I have been diligent. Diligent in attending to their training. Do I watch over my children, keep bad habits in check, and nip the beginning of bad habits and behavior in the bud before they intensify. Diligence~

Steady application in business of any kind; constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken; exertion of body or mind without unnecessary delay or sloth; due attention; industry; assiduity.

Diligence is the philosophers stone that turns every thing to gold.

I think that this is one of the many reasons why I love homeschooling. It enables me to be diligent. Being with our children, physically, for as many hours of the day possible is key to keeping them in 'check.' When they are off, doing who knows what, learning who knows what lessons, pulling who knows what kind of tricks children are capable of. Are we sure, absolutely sure that whoever our children are in the care of; will they correct bad behavior, (if they chance to see it) teach kindness to a child who is being selfish, encourage patience when it's not their turn, praise them when they have shown an act of kindness thereby encouraging them? I love having the opportunity to take a troubled little one and open up the scriptures, read them a story or poem to illustrate that there is a preferred way for them to act. To rise above the normal childhood antics that befalls everyone of them. Moms and dads, it is our job to do this. Diligence is the key. Be ever watchful over your children and teach them in the way. 24/7

"And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deut. 11:19