5 Lessons I’m Glad We taught our Kids Prior to Covid 19
1. How to love and depend on God for protection. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but the steadfast love surrounds the one who trust in the Lord. Ps. 32:10
When we love and trust God, he rewards us with unconditional love and protection for hard times. Yet, most times we don't feel protected by virtue of not knowing what God's word says. Besides, how can we claim peace if we know not God provides it.
For this reason we must teach our kids how to depend on God 100% of the time and to not fear. As much we parents love them, we'll never be able to love them like God does. It’s important to teach children how to develop a personal disciplined relationship with God early.
We ensure to pray together daily at least 5 days out of the week. God tells us to pray always. He also gives us direct access to enter into His presence. We let the kids lead prayer. It’s amazing how fervent they pray.
Everyone is responsible for completing a devotional every day. We all study the Bible together. We read our Bible in the morning and come together during dinner to discuss our study and share how God spoke to us individually.
I created a list of identity features from the Bible in which they proclaim daily after they are dressed in the morning. This keeps them in perspective of who they are and eliminates comparison.
2. The second thing I'm glad we taught our kids is how to groom themselves. Godliness is next to cleanliness. God tells us in Romans to present our bodies as a living sacrifice and this scripture encompasses much.
They are responsible for washing their own hair on Fridays as well as styling it. The girls have learned how to love their own coarse and coily hair. They tend to be creative in styling as well.
On Saturday it’s mandatory for them to give themselves a mani and pedicure. Twice a year I allow a stylist to style their hair. And once a year, I allow a visit to the nails salon. However, it’s very important they learn how to be self-sufficient and not rely on anyone to groom themselves, besides when they go off to college, they will not be able to afford a stylish or a manicurist. They will be forced to adhere to a strict budget at all times.
I’m so glad we taught them this as I’ve seen countless kids and adults going bananas because they didn’t know how to comb their own hair or manicure their own nails. I mean the posts I've read on social media continue to blow my mind as very few people are self sufficient these days.
3. The third skill I'm so glad we taught our kids is how to clean up a house. Older women are to teach young women to be self-controlled and busy at home. Titus 2:15
You will be amazed at how many parents don't expect their kids to clean up.
Growing up, some of my friends rooms were hog pens, I remember I didn’t even want to bathe in one of their bathtubs.
We require our kids to make their beds everyday, and I mean everyday. They are required to keep a tidy room. They do their own laundry and alternate kitchen and other house duties during the week.
I normally don't have to remind them to do so. The younger girl often needs a reminder though 🤦🏽♀️.
On Saturday they also deep clean their rooms, restroom and share in one house duty.
I know people who don't require their kids to clean up their room or assign any other responsibilities. And my kids complain how a friend room literally looked like a herd of swines lodge there frequently.
I’ve even asked parents why they allow such and most comment that their kids will be wealthy and will be able to pay someone to clean for them. Now, If this is not the most ridiculous statement ever. My argument is what about the interim of college and funding a career? They are not going to always be able to afford housekeeping. And if they are, no matter the income earnings, everyone should know how to clean their own restroom, bedroom, and a stove.
I remember having dinner with this same friend on one of their son's 16 birthday at Ruth Chris. The poor guy was clueless. He ordered a Ribeye, ate about 1/3 of the steak. Days later, she noticed a sour smell that covered the entire house and found he was the culprit. The steak was boxed up in his room spoiled. He never even placed it in the fridge😬.
This same kid got kicked out of college after the first semester because she wasn't there to wake him up for class everyday😜.
4. I'm glad I taught my kids how to cook basic meals and clean, the girls were not interested. I grew weary of pleading to join me in the kitchen so I just stopped cooking breakfast and lunch for them. This forced them to learn fast how to scramble eggs 🍳 🤪
So, When schools announced that they were closing due to Covid 19, the girls already knew that I wouldn’t be preparing every meal for anyone who was able to cook for themselves.
When Covid-19 hit, we had a family meeting to discuss how we were going to adjust to our new normal, I announced to the kiddos, be it known, you guys are responsible for preparing your own breakfast and lunch so I suggest you meal plan in advance for I'd hate for you to starve while watching me eat.
We are to teach our kids how to maintain a home. It’s very important to teach your kids how to maintain a home. I’m going to be honest with you. I have 4 kids and 5 when my bonus daughter is here. And I don’t like the way they clean up. I mean, no one can clean like me. Sorry, it’s true. I think a lot of mamas agree 😝.
The oldest are 15 and a 11. I mean the 15 year old cleans ok. But I really don’t like the extra time it takes to go behind her on my white marble countertops and island. You know when I’m cooking, I clean along the way and like to be done cleaning when I’m done cooking.
I think kids should be equipped to do almost every duty a parent does so they are prepared when they go off for college. Most wonder why their adult kids never leave the house or can’t sustain in society. Well, they are so accustomed to their parents bailing them out of every single issue they find themselves in and make horrible spouses.
I don’t care how much money your child has the “potential” to earn. Everyone needs essential skills for living.
5. And finally, How to be a good steward over God's money. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10.
We have always been open with the kids about giving tithes and offering to church. We have showed them in the Bible and showed them checks we’ve written to church. Giving tithes and offerings is very important to us. We make them tithe off their allowance. It's simple, we give because God tells us to so. Since we've introduced this to them, they have been eager to tithe off of their allowance and gifts given to them.
I remember the first time Kirsten gave to church. Because of her obedience, We surprised her and doubled what she sacrificed. I can still remember her little heart rejoicing. I told her that wasn’t even a 1/3 of what God wanted to do for her.
Since we’ve been quarantined she has been logging in and giving without being prompted. I’m so proud of her.
Kristen has displaced a great act of being a good steward of money by cutting jeans into Shorts and sporting them as if they are a brand new pair of shorts. She even wears them with confidence. She’s always repurposing clothing and I’ve noticed the11 year old doing the same.
I’m so grateful for God's direction in directing us to train a child in the way that they should go, he says they won’t depart and I believe Him! I’m also glad we’ve instilled those value In them and don’t have to worry about our kids complaining about hair issues, not being able to go to the stylist, or manicurist or just being brats about stuff. That would be too stressful along with the fear of not preparing them to be productive in this world.
So, I’ve covered 5 essential survival tips according to the Bible in which every kid should be equipped. You may reason and say, well that doesn't guarantee success and I say you are right my friend BUT again the Bible says, train a child in the way they go and he won’t depart so that's not my worry, that's the Lords concern. I just do what he says to do. Thank you for reading, I hope you have learned a few tips.
Please join my email 📧 list, like,share, and follow on Twitter and Instagram. , like and share this videos with other mamas who could benefit form from the tips I recommend.
Lady Unashame,
Natasha B🤍
