Let Your Children Enjoy Their Childhood
"I will lead on slowly, at the pace of...the children." Genesis 33:14 ESV
Today there is a tendency on the part of some parents to try and make their children grow up too quickly. They rush them through the milestones of childhood and thrust them into the turmoils of adolescence. This is the conclusion of developmental psychologist Dr. David Elkind, who called this cultural phenomenon the "Hurried Child Syndrome." It happens when parents encourage their children to act like teenagers, such as buying makeup for preschool girls, allowing early teen-age dating, treat kids more like grown-ups, expecting them to make adult-level choices, dressing them in designer clothes, and especially, subjecting them to graphic sexuality in television, music videos, movies, and the internet. Years ago, parents understood the necessity of a safe and orderly progression through childhood. There were cultural markers that defined the ages at which specific behaviors and activities were deemed appropriate or inappropriate. Today these markers have vanished, or they have been moved downward. And it can be a big mistake. When you treat your children as if they're already grown, it becomes very challenging to set limits on their adolescent behavior in the near future. How can you establish a curfew for a thirteen-year-old, for example, who has been taught to view himself or herself as an adult? In short, the "Hurried Child Syndrome" deprives our kids of childhood and puts them on an unnatural timetable that's detrimental to their mental and physical health. If you're wise, you will heed the advice of Jacob to his brother Esau" "I will lead on slowly, at the pace of...the children."
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word For You Today
Today there is a tendency on the part of some parents to try and make their children grow up too quickly. They rush them through the milestones of childhood and thrust them into the turmoils of adolescence. This is the conclusion of developmental psychologist Dr. David Elkind, who called this cultural phenomenon the "Hurried Child Syndrome." It happens when parents encourage their children to act like teenagers, such as buying makeup for preschool girls, allowing early teen-age dating, treat kids more like grown-ups, expecting them to make adult-level choices, dressing them in designer clothes, and especially, subjecting them to graphic sexuality in television, music videos, movies, and the internet. Years ago, parents understood the necessity of a safe and orderly progression through childhood. There were cultural markers that defined the ages at which specific behaviors and activities were deemed appropriate or inappropriate. Today these markers have vanished, or they have been moved downward. And it can be a big mistake. When you treat your children as if they're already grown, it becomes very challenging to set limits on their adolescent behavior in the near future. How can you establish a curfew for a thirteen-year-old, for example, who has been taught to view himself or herself as an adult? In short, the "Hurried Child Syndrome" deprives our kids of childhood and puts them on an unnatural timetable that's detrimental to their mental and physical health. If you're wise, you will heed the advice of Jacob to his brother Esau" "I will lead on slowly, at the pace of...the children."
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word For You Today
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2023
January
Enjoy Each Day Of This New Year (1)Enjoy Each Day Of This New Year (2)This Year Think "Possible" (1)This Year Think "Possible" (2)This Year Think "Possible" (3)Let God Lead YouGod Is Your ProviderYour Overflowing Cup Of BlessingSteps To Overcoming Your WorriesFocus On Your God-Given VisionThe Story Of Your BibleHow God Leads UsHow Jesus Dealt With SinAre You Joy-Deprived?It's Time To Pray (1)It's Time To Pray (2)Faith That Brings ResultsBe Faithful To God At WorkWhen Your Best Isn't Good EnoughToday, Give Your Problem To GodSteps To Forgiveness (1)Steps To Forgiveness (2)The Joys Of Heaven (1)The Joys Of Heaven (2)The Joys Of Heaven (3)Learn To Control Your AngerSeek God For DirectionTry A Power NapGo To The Right SourceHow God Sees YouYou Have To "Walk Out" The Process
February
Guard These Three Areas of VulnerabilitySimplify Your LifeOnward and UpwardYou Need Each Other (1)You Need Each Other (2)You Need Each Other (3)Showing Grace Toward Those Who Differ With YouAre You Having a Nighttime Experience?A Heart Filled With GoodnessChrist's Love for YouGive God All the GloryYou're a ReflectorYou Must Care for the Needy (1)You Must Care for the Needy (2)You Must Care for the Needy (3)Don't Give Up on Your SaulRecovering From BurnoutSetting Captives Free (1)Setting Captives Free (2)He Will Do It AgainBeware of Self-PityToday, Choose the Right AttitudeBuild a Relationship with Your Children"Servants" for LifeChange Your ExpectationsStart Memorizing ScripturesChrist is Coming Again!Friendship
March
Experiencing God's Presence And PleasureDon't Wait; Enjoy Your Life NowMoney Matters In MarriageUse Your God-Given CreativityA Prayer Of ForgivenessWhen God Sends You An Angel (1)When God Sends You An Angel (2)When God Sends You An Angel (3)When God Sends You An Angel (4)A Prayer For Financial ContentmentA Prayer Of Commitment To GodHaving A Vision For Your LifeChange Your Thinking, Change Your Life (1)Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life (2)Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life (3)Does It Glorify God?Lessons From A Broken HeartWhat You Must give UpYou Need OthersRebuilding Your Marriage (1)Rebuilding Your Marriage (2)Rebuilding Your Marriage (3)Rebuilding Your Marriage (4)Through Christ, You Can Do ItDepend More On GodStart Saying, "I Can"Refuse To Live In Fear (1)Refuse To Live In Fear (2)Refuse To Live In Fear (3)Refuse To Live In Fear (4)Prepare In Advance
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