«Do not withhold correction from a child» (Proverbs 23:13).
GOVERNING the home is the parents’ responsibility; however, how frequently we see homes in which children not only take over the remote control, but also control matters that are their parents’ exclusive jurisdiction. Being the one who spends more time at home, the mother is generally responsible for governing her family; that’s why, dear reader, if you are a mother, pay special attention to this matter: your children are not the ones who should govern your home.
It’s extremely important for us to lead our children to Christ. As Ellen G. White says, «Mothers, to a great degree the destiny of your children rests in your hands. If you fail in duty, you may place them in the ranks of the enemy and make them his agents to ruin souls; but by a godly example and faithful discipline you may lead them to Christ and make them the instruments in His hands of saving many souls» (The Adventist Home, ch. 38, p. 238). In this paragraph, not only is there an implicit mandate; but tools to carry it out are also mentioned: l) a godly example and 2) faithful discipline.
What; a mother who offers a godly example to her children like? Not only is she a role-model worthy of imitating, but also, she behaves lovingly, compassionately and mercifully when faced with children’s natures, and tries to mold them into the Heavenly Father’s image.
On the other hand, «faithful discipline» speaks of steadfastness, perseverance and coherence. The minds of children and adolescents are impressed when instruction is timely, flexible, respectful and tinged with forgiveness. Under no circumstances does that discipline overrun a child’s personality or individuality; its exercised firmly, but never at the expense of dignity, which is a right every human being was created with. However, under no circumstances are children to be given the option of obeying or not; that gives them a false sense of control and dominance, but in the long run only produces personal insecurity and resentment toward parents.
Children in a home are compared with flowers in a garden. Let us take care of them with selfless love and ask the Sun of grace to make them grow for Heaven. And along the way, let us remember that «her work the Christian mothers, if done faithfully in God, will be immortalized» (Ibid).