The Four E's

Dr. Bob Barnes names the four "E's" of child rearing: example, exposure, experience, and encouragement. Along with setting a good example, it is important to expose your children to the responsibilities and the lessons of life.

"Exposure is walking with them through life," says Dr. Barnes, "helping them, for instance, as they figure out how to spend their money. Exposure is reading them books about their sexuality. So you first set an example, and then you expose them to the things they need to learn."

Another step in training your children is to let them experience things, to learn by doing. Dr. Barnes says, "That means you get out of the way and let your children make their own decisions sometimes. You may be thinking, Do you mean I should let my child buy that cheap toy that's going to break in a week when I know it's a waste of money? Yes, there are times when a child needs to learn the lesson that 'Sometimes you may waste your money, and it hurts, doesn't it?'"

The fourth E is to encourage your children. When they're doing a good job, you need to say, "I am very proud of you."
Follow Jesus' example with your children:

"And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them" (Mark 10:16).