Children need encouragement

By Ilia L Likou 25 November 2017, 12:00AM

Do not get frustrated with your children; instead, bring them up in the teachings and instructions of the Lord.

This is the belief of Lise Fa’atalatala of Faleasi’u in an interview with the Village Voice team yesterday.

The mother of five was met by the team while she was with her grandchildren doing chores around the house.

“We’ve seen so much of what’s happening now to young people of today and we need to step up now before it’s too late,” she said.

“Leading the right way (for our children) to walk in while they’re still young, they’ll not depart from it when they grow older.”

She believes parents should spend more time with their children.

“That’s the reality of today, we need to stand up and do something. And we need to spend time with them and share with them what they need to know before they become adults.”

Our children need encouragement, she said

“The Bible says that we have to train up a child in the way he or she should go: and when they’re old, they will not depart from it,” Lise said.

“Our Father in heaven doesn’t tell us to teach a child, but instead, we are to train a child, meaning we have to mould them through discipline and practice.” 

How do we do that?

“In my own opinion praising and encouraging children are two totally different things,” she said.

“Remember when you praise your child, he or she tends to focus on performance but with encouragement, they will focus on worth. 

“Encourage them to be in line with the word of God, tell a child that he or she is valuable in the sight of God. What is really sad is the fact that many parents forget about that.”

Moreover she says, keeping children from some worldly experiences helps them realise that there are consequences of living a life without God.

“That’s the way parents should go. They have to know that when our children are small, they will constantly ask, ‘Why can’t we do this and that; but our friends are’.

“They can come up with all the excuses in the world, but we must remember that we imitate Christ when it comes to training our children.

“Some parents tell their children, ‘Don’t do as I do; do as I say’.”

 “Well, I think that is double-talk to a child.

“We must walk the talk and set good examples for our children.

“You must remember, if parents don’t set limits, a child unconsciously feels rejected and that leads to disobedience and we all know what their lives are going to be like in the future,” Lise added. 

By Ilia L Likou 25 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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