Train up a child

“Train up a child in the way he should go:  and when he is old, he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6 (KJV).  

Fafie, my daughter, turned one a few weeks ago. Seems like only yesterday when we were hovering over her in the hospital. Then I was thinking “WOW! I’m a mother”. Come to think of it I’m still thinking it... I watch her grow each day, learning new things especially new words. Some of them make me laugh others are mmmm let’s just say not so funny. As I watched her last night it dawned on me: who she is going to become will be dependent on who I am. That freaked me out. Growing up I had wise level headed women to look up to and she has ME! Poor child.

Seriously though, I have a challenge. What do you teach a growing child? How do you make sure it sticks? With kids it’s not really about what you tell them but what you do. Monkey see monkey do right? Already she’s picked up quite a number of habits from me and her dad and the maid, but so far so good. Nothing scary yet. Anyway what I’m saying is the training has to start now. And it starts with me. I can’t wait for her to go kwagogo (grandma’s) so that she can be told wrong from right. Nor can I make it her teachers’ responsibility when she goes to school. I have to do it.

As parents we need to live the things we teach our kids. That’s the only way they can really get it. If you say one thing and do the opposite you create confusion for your kids and trouble for yourself. How can they follow in your footsteps if they have never seen you walk? Think about it. i’m not saying don’t talk  things over with your kids. By all means say it as loud as you can and as many times as you need to. But after saying it you need to live it. Be their biggest role model, everyone else should come after. Don’t be the picture of the person your kids DON'T want to be.

I pray that God shows me the way I should go so that I can be the best example I can be. I’m new at this but I try hard to do what is right. I know I will make mistakes along the way as does everyone else but I’m prepared to learn from them. I want to look at my kids in 20 years and pat myself on the back for a job well done. But then again who doesn't?