Fifty Rules for Parenting

1. Parents, be accountable to each other.
2. Each child is different.  They each require different training methods.
3. Don't let your child split mom and dad. ( ask one if the other said no)
4. Discipline/Punishment (Punish the action/discipline the child)  If you punish the child, the child feels emotionally beat up.  never make their negative action about you (You make..., Your hurt me..., etc.).  Tell them what God thinks about their action good or bad.
5. Reward vs. Pacifier (rewards are good.  Giving something to shut them up is not).  Short -term rewards are more effective than long term rewards.
6. Child actions usually reflect what they have been taught.  Whining and fits usually get more response than soft request.)
7. Parents need to be able to say; "I am sorry", "I was wrong".
8. when children say, "I'm sorry" or "forgive me", reply "you're forgiven", not "It's OK".
9. Be consistent with love, rules, discipline and punishment.
10. Love them enough to discipline them.
11. It is always easier to ignore than to address.
12. make your children wait and not interrupt you.
13. Give more yes's than no's
14. Don' criticize your children, especially in front of others.
15. meet their love language need. (touch, quality time, acts of service, gift giving, affirmations)
16. Try to identify what they are really saying, not what they are screaming.
17. Speak truth.  Don't make up lies to often issues.
18. Too much TV or computer games equal brain cloud (grumpy, sassy, etc.)
19. Be forgiving.
20. Be gracious.
21. Play with them.
22. Hold them.
23. Your teenage daughter will get love from some man, somehow.  Let it be fdad for now.
24. Take your kids on dates.
25. Boys need their dad's time.
26. Girls need their dad's time.
27. Don't overpressure for performance.  You will create perfectionist, pretender, or a sloth.
28. The first few years are critical for bonding.  Many life long traits are formed here.
29. Never raise your voice in anger to your child.
30. Give your child quality time.
31. Stop, look and listen to your child.
32. First time obedience is a must .  Teach them this concept.
33. Yes is yes and No is no.
34. Never argue with your child.
35. Allow your child a voice and an appeal, but not an argument.
36. Dads to no let your sons speak disrespectful to their mother!
37. Place your child's need above your own.  Don't be selfish with them.
38. Take appropriate time for yourself.  Set boundaries.
39. Your spouse come first then the children.  (Don't put them in the center of your marriage)
40. Have fun with your kids.
41. Be creative with your kids.
42. Teach them the value of money.
43. Stand firm on biblical mandates, but be very careful with rules and convictions that are your own, not necessarily mandates from God.
44. Love your child unconditionally.  Don't place stipulations on your love.
45. Forgive, love and grant mercy the way God does it, generously.
46. Allow your children to practice flying so that when they leave the nest they soar.
47. Children view God the way they view their dad.
48. Children will view the church the way they view their mom.
49. Show your children how God views the church.
50. The best gift a dad can give his children is to love their mother.

- copied