Becoming a Better Parent

Our goal as Christians should be to become the man or woman that God wants us to be, and for some of us that means being the best parent that we can be. Whether a single parent or a family unit the following steps can help us in achieving just that.

The following guidelines are called the “super Ts” and are the foundation of any good parenting, whether the parent is single or not. They are a basic guide for all parents on how to build relationship and bring up a happy and healthy child. (It should be apparent that for many of these tasks, the single parent will need the help of other adults. No one person can accomplish all these alone.)

Time

Kids spell love T-I-M-E. There is no substitute for every hour, minute, and second of quality time fathers and mothers spend with their children. Kids need heavy doses of you every day if possible.


Touch

A hug and kiss, holding hands, brushing hair, wrestling, high fives, even cuddling on the couch, most child experts agree kids need at least eleven touches a day.

Talk

Find the interests you and your child share, and talk! Or ask your child about his or her day. Remember, communication is more nonverbal than verbal, so be careful of all the different ways you “speak” to your child.


Truth

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (NIV). Parents’ morals fill the little hands and hearts of their children. Therefore, ground your child in the truth of God’s Word.

I'll look at more of these tomorrow.

Source: AACC.