Childhood experiences shape future, parents told

August 14, 2000

Childhood experiences
shape future, parents told
___By Ken Camp
___Texas Baptist Communications
___WACO--Childhood experiences do not determine adult behavior, but they do strongly impact what adults become, said Gaynor Yancey, assistant professor in the Baylor University School of Social Work.
___Yancey told participants at the Texas Leadership Conference, a training event sponsored by Woman's Missionary Union of Texas, that healthy families provide positive childhood experiences by teaching to resolve conflicts and communicate effectively. Healthy families also encourage personal quiet times for spiritual growth and create opportunities for service, she said.
___"Positive childhood experiences lead to solid character formation, psychological well-being and healthy relationships. A dysfunctional beginning can unleash an abundance of personal demons that haunt an individual for a lifetime. ... For better or worse, the child lives on in the adult."
___Parents can help create positive childhood experiences by modeling and teaching conflict resolution and by fostering open communication, she said.
___Conflict management involves recognizing the source of the problem, getting the facts, defining the conflict, gathering ideas and discussing options that will lead to solutions and then preparing a plan for implementation, Yancey explained.
___Effective communication depends on a willingness to recognize the uniqueness of every family member, lower defenses, take the time to genuinely listen and take responsibility for individual thoughts, feelings and behaviors, she said.
___As children learn to communicate with other family members, parents also can teach them the importance of communicating with God, Yancey said. "Part of godly leadership is how you help your family start the day. A spiritual quiet time is important because God desires fellowship with me, Jesus deserves my attention and it's necessary for a vital and growing relationship with Christ."

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