Advice for New Parents
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are having a baby, it was announced recently. In a statement on their website, the couple said they are 'delighted with the news'. Catherine, 30, is not having things easy. She has already spent some days in King Edward VII Hospital with acute morning sickness. Now home, she is stoically continuing with ‘reduced Royal duties’.
Our prayerful good wishes go with the happy couple as they embark on the most important job in the world for which most people receive no training…..the job of being parents.
A lifetime spent in the education business has convinced me that when children and young people have problems in the area of behaviour, there is often a link to the style of parenting. On a recent ‘One Show’ on BBC 1, the comedian Harry Hill,
commenting on the Royal pregnancy said, ‘If it’s a girl, they should treat her like a princess’. Very often that’s exactly what loving parents do, then wonder why their own little prince or princess behaves like a monster.
The Christian blogger Steve Cornell l argues that Modern culture and secular values encourages narcissism in children and young people which is characterized by:
A grandiose sense of self-importance
(expects to be recognized as superior; is angered when not recognized)
Requires excessive admiration (craves attention)
A very strong sense of entitlement,
(strong expectations of favorable and special treatment; demands compliance with his or her expectations)
Exploitative of others,
(takes advantage of or uses others to achieve his or her own ends — will even exploit people who should be appreciated)
Lacks empathy,
(unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others where it conflicts with his or her agenda)
Is often envious of others
(resentful toward the achievements of others who outshine him or her; and believes that others are envious of him or her)
Regularly shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes
(must be the most important person who knows more and is better than others; desires to be the center of attention)
What advice can be offered to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, bearing in mind that the Duke’s side of the family was once famously described as ‘the most dysfunctional family in Britain’.
The Bible, notably the book of Proverbs offers itself as a source of wisdom for all parents.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10); in other words, wisdom cannot be attained unless God is honored in the home.
Longing for his son to have wisdom, the father advises him to be fully devoted to God. In Proverbs chapter three, action points for walking with God are described.
§ Trust in the Lord with all your heart (v.5)
§ Acknowledge Him in all your ways (v.6)
§ Fear the Lord (v.7)
§ Honour the Lord (v.9)
§ Do not despise the Lord’s discipline (v.11).
As children grow older they begin to formulate goals and ambitions. When their goals are good ones, parents are wise to support them in them. However, even the best goals are empty paths away from the rich wisdom God offers to those
who seek him in all things.
Elmo
