Any time Tauren, my husband, and I are in separate vehicles and headed to the same destination, the boys want us to race daddy there. “Hurry, Mom! Dad is gonna beat us!” They love it when I zoom past Dad and get to the place where we are going first. “Hahaha! We beat you, Daddy! You are TOO slow.” It’s so cute how intense they get about it. Well, one time, just one time, Daddy beat us home. We got out of the car and I said, “sorry guys. We didn’t win this one.” At that moment I got a response I was not anticipating. Our 4 yr old, Navy, said “it’s alright, Mommy. The Bible says ‘the last shall be first’, so that means, we were first!” I have never been more proud! Haha!
At some point, in teaching the boys a lesson, Navy really heard what we were saying! It’s amazing what our kids are picking up on, even when we think they aren’t listening. It doesn’t take much, but when we are intentional about our words and our conversations, our kids can really learn a lot! That also should make us extra careful about what we talk about and do that we DON’T want them picking up on. They are sponges and whether we are pouring out water or sewage, they are soaking it up.
So, how do we do this? Well, I am so glad you asked! =)
There are several simple ways we can reinforce good values in our children.
First decide what values you want to instill in your kids. Make a list of 12 values for the year and start with those.
Discuss books they are reading or a movie they just watched. Talk about the characters and what they did that was good or what they did that was bad and why. Use the answers as a teaching moment for your kids.
Create a value board. I created a board that I use to put the value of the month on. I put it somewhere where we are most often. The kitchen or eating area is a great place. We pick 12 values at the beginning of the year, one for each month. Then I pick a scripture a week that goes with that value. We try to memorize the scripture together every week and then we talk about that value for the whole month. Any time I see the board it reminds me to talk about the value in some way.
Show your children how to live out the values. The best way for kids to pick up on these values is to see them in action! They will imitate what they see the most from you.
It doesn’t take a lot to begin teaching your kids values from the Bible. Just start. Don’t make it too complicated or forced. The more you do it, the easier it will become! Consistency is is key. You got this!
If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values - that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Lean in to Life. It’s messy, but beautiful.
Much love,
LB