Times Of Swaziland: NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR CHILDREN

NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR CHILDREN
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Editor on 23/08/2022 08:52:00


Sir,
Parenting is one of those complex responsibilities experienced by married or
single people. Children are a gift and heritage from God. The scriptures in
Psalms 127:3, 4 declare: “Behold children are a heritage from the Lord, the
fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the
children of one’s youth.” Children are entrusted to parents by God so that
they can be trained, equipped, and as arrows shot into their God designed
destiny. We must take care of our children as parents. We must have plans for
the well-being of our children. First and foremost the responsibility for
training children in the way they should go and in keeping with their individual
gifts is on the parents, not the church, community or school.
Education
A child has needs; he or she needs food, shelter and clothes. A child also needs
mental training and education; they must be taken to school by parents. Children
also need spiritual guidance. It is important for parents to help in spiritual
matters. It is also our responsibility as parents to provide discipline and
correction to our children. Most children learn by example, therefore, it is
very important for parents to be good examples to their children. One of the
greatest needs of a child is love and physical care. Parenting means to bring
up, to raise, feed, care for and rear. As parents we are partners and
co-labourers with God to bring about purposeful living in our children. Single
parenting is a situation where you find yourself raising or nurturing a child or
children single headedly.
Challenges
It is a situation where instead of a normal couple; one finds himself or herself
leading the home alone. Sometimes the challenges faced by a single parent can be
overwhelming. Whatever the cause of single parenting, a single parent must
understand that life must go on. Society must also learn to understand the
complex situation of a single parent. Single parents must be embraced with
understanding and loved by society, instead of looking at them with suspicion
and accusing eyes. As a single parent take charge of the situation, move away
from self pity; be bold and courageous. “Tough times never last, but tough
people do.” Actually God is concerned about single parents, widows and their
children. Psalms 68:5 says,:“A father to the fatherless, and a judge of the
widows is God in His holy habitation.”
As a single parent do not allow bitterness in terms of what happened distort
your love towards your children. Forgive and move on. Be careful of the landmine
of regret and guilt. Do not allow them to explode away your energy, peace and
joy. Your child or children need you to be well and focused. Sometimes as a
single parent, you may experience blame and rejection from insensitive people
around you. Do not allow that to obstruct you from being a good mother or
father. Financial challenges should also not be allowed to sabotage your ability
to raise your children. The little money you have, use it profitably and wisely.
Trust
In case the father or mother of the child is alive and well, but he/she is
refusing to get involved with the child’s well-being, don’t become bitter
and confused; trust God for provision. If you went through a divorce, do not
rush into remarrying just to prove a point to the divorced partner. Allow time
for you to stabilise mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Wholeness is key
when raising children as a single parent.