FAMILY MATTERS:
Enable your child to enjoy childhood
 ___When my preschooler grows up, I want her to be able to recall her childhood days as a wonderful time. Life for the young child has become very hectic. I don't want to fall into this pattern with my child.
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KAY TOWERS
Program Coordinator
LifeWay Fellowship
Killeen
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 ___You are wise to realize this now. Many children are on schedules that would tire and frustrate most adults. To avoid the hurried child syndrome, consider the following:
___ Make sure your child's schedule includes happy activities. Involve her in relatively stress-free activities. Sports or music classes, for example, provide wonderful experiences, but only if she wants to participate. Avoid peer pressure or status-symbol events that only affirm the adults.
___ Give her choices. As she develops decision-making skills, she will feel important and learn responsibility for her choices. Limit the choices to two or three (clothes, breakfast, places to play). When you give an opportunity to choose, respect that choice. Offer options that you deem worthy.
___ Encourage creativity. Give her a blank sheet of paper, a marker and permission to color outside the lines. Let her create a story. Watch her play dress-up. Provide unstructured play time.
___ Evaluate her television schedule. Consider the content as well as amount of time. Television can be a great teaching tool or a troublesome hindrance. Determine the parameters of her choices.
___ Read to your child. Let her choose from books you have selected. Preschoolers love to be read to, often over and over again. After a while, she can tell you the story as she looks at the pictures. Bible story books are certainly memory-builders as well as excellent resources for setting the stage for her own spiritual journey.
___ Pray with your child. She will learn to pray as she sees you model it for her. Help her put her prayers into words.
___ Make every event she enjoys a time of celebration. Ask her what she likes about it and why. Reinforce the positive experiences. Reflect on your own wonderful childhood experiences. Recreate opportunities for your child to have similar experiences that are hers to recall.
___Parenting is a tremendous responsibility but also a wonderful privilege God has given us. Thank him daily for the gift of your child. Seek his guidance and wisdom through prayer as you seek to raise your child in the love and knowledge of the Lord.
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