Standards Protect Our Teens

Often our kids may wonder why we have certain rules in our home. We continually try to teach our children that rules and standards are a good thing. Without standards, we are left unprotected. If our teenagers know the standards they should be able to apply them when they are away from home. In order to do this well, our kids must know the difference between God's Rules and House Rules.

God's Rules are those standards specifically stated in His Word. Do not lie. Do not cheat. Do not commit adultery. Our kids should be grounded in God's Word so much that they know these standards like the back of their hand. Not only should they be able to quote those standards, they should know how to apply these standards. This takes wisdom, training and talking with them on a regular basis.

Our kids should have a high view of the Scripture, so they desire to obey God's Word. A high view of the Scripture leads to a high view of parental authority. When our kids obey God's Word, they will ultimately obey their parents. As parents we should not take advantage of this situation. Instead, we should be in awe of the responsibility we have in teaching our kids what God's Rules are and how they differ from House Rules.

House Rules are those standards that our family follows. They are the application of God's Word in our life. For instance, the movies we let our kids watch are usually different from the ones other kids can watch. We have been very particular about what they can watch as they grow up. Where we draw the line is simply a House Rule, not God's Rule. Our House Rules will look different than other family's House Rules.

House Rules cover a large variety of topics, including movies, tv, books, clothing, curfew, friends, sleep-overs, snacks, courtship, and so on. You get the idea, I'm sure.

It is important to iron out those House Rules early on. Communicate faithfully what is expected of your kids so they have an understanding of God's Rules and House Rules.

One problem many Christian kids have is they don't know the difference between God's Rules and the House Rules in their own family. Their parents have not taught them the difference and often the House Rules are enforced as strongly as God's Rules. This leads to legalism and pietism. When kids from these homes leave, they have a tendency to rebel against the "rules". One way to avoid that rebellion is talking to your kids, over and over and over again. I'm not talking about the talks after disobedience. These are talks around the dinner table, in the car, on a walk. Casual talks are the best time to discuss House Rules and God's Rules. Those are the times your kids will remember.

Standards are great when your teens understand them. Standards protect our kids. Standards will produce leaders when properly understood. Be sure to teach your kids why you have such standards. After they understand, begin to let them have some freedom in decision making. Older teens should learn to apply God's Rules while they are at home with their parent's guidance. As they make right decisions, encourage more wisdom in their life. As they make wrong decisions, gently teach them to what God would want them to do in that situation. It is better for them to fall a few times at home, rather than when they are out of the house.

Teens that have opportunities to make their own decisions (with guidance, support and encouragement from their parents) grow up to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Kerry

Christian Homeschool Curriculum

Publishing Your Own Book Tips

My dear hubby interviewed a New York publisher about publishing your own book. We taped the interview and have it online for any of you who might be interested in publishing your own book someday. Here's the e-mail Steve sent to his group.
Kerry

Wow, what a crazy call! I got booted off my own call, but David
Hancock kept right on going (kind of like the energizer bunny!).

I managed to get back on the call, but in the process I think I
locked everyone out. Luckily, we have the whole thing recorded
and I really want you to down load it and give it a listen,
because David shares some incredible secrets about getiing a book
published, even if you have never written anything of consequence
to date!

Also, David gave a suprise bonus for everyone who comes to the
Family E-Biz Expo. You can see it here:

http://www.publishingsecretsexposed.com/

You heard it right! This course is free to all who attend the
Family E-Biz Expo!

So, please go listen to the call now. You can either listen
online or download it to your hard drive. (there are instructions
on the Preview Call page for doing that)

------------------------------------------------------------
Our next Preview Call will be:
Date: Thursday, December 1, 2005
Time:
9:00pm Eastern
8:00pm Central
7:00pm Mountain
6:00pm Pacific

I will email the phone number and access code in a future email.
------------------------------------------------------------

Remember, the training call does not cost you anything to join us
(except your own long distance)

To see what the Family E-Biz Expo is all about AND the new
bonuses we had added, click on the link below:

Small Business Workshop Texas

To get the recording of last night's call, click on the link
below:
Small Business Workshop Preview Calls

Warmly,
Steve

Family Business Blog

I just want to mention that my husband has a blog specifically for families who own or want to start their own business. There are tons of tips and articles.

Take a look at this link. Starting a Small Independent Business

Kerry