As a parent it is my job that I raise my son in the "right way".....?

Question

but because I am a christian and I have the beliefs that I feel are right and I want to raise my son in the right manner but I dont want to shove anything down his throat and I want him to make his own decesions in life. How do I as a mother accomplish this? I am a young mother 23 and my son is 6 months old and I know that I need to start at a young age with him, but as he grows older I dont want him to be rebelious.

I am not sure how to pick the "best answer" because they are all great so thank you all for your advice.

Answer 1

Instruct your child in the correct path and they will never stray...

I am paraphrasing but the best way for your son to follow you is to be an example for him. It is going to be hard VERY hard but keep in the path and it will be beneficial.

See my mom was the type that dragged me out of bed on Sunday and said I had to do this and had to do that. That didn't work on me. She then stopped dragging me to church and instead prayed for my salvation. Then one Sunday I asked if I could go with her to church and during the service went up to the front of the church and accepted Jesus as my Lord and personal savior.

As was told to me on that day, that at that moment was the time that God had set up for me to accept his son. Not one moment sooner.

Understand that prayer and the word keeps not only you but your son aligned with the things of God. In due time, your faithful seeking of God and asking for him to lead and guide you and your family will prove most beneficial indeed!

I am living proof of what my mom's devotion to God and his son Jesus has done for me. Now when I go to church I ask my son if he wants to go. If he says no, it's ok. I kiss him, tell him I love him and off I go because when he goes, he is going because he wants to and his heart, mind and spirit are open and receptive to what God wants him to hear that day. If going begrudingly, he will slightly resent what is being said. Over time, that resentment will harden his heart and possibly make him miss out on the best gift ever given to him. Jesus Christ.

Sorry about the long answer.

YOU stay faithful, prayerful and in the word. God and others will water and cultivate the seeds that will be planted in your son's heart!

God's blessings to you and yours!

Answer 2

4 to 6 months: Get in the groove:
At this age, parents can begin setting limits. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should use "generally structured daily routines." If baby can rely on these routines, he's less likely to fuss or struggle. Routines should help calm your baby and encourage him to behave, but should be flexible enough to accommodate his emotions.

Here is an example of a diaper-changing routine:

1. Baby lies down and holds a certain toy.

2. You sing a certain song while changing the diaper.

3. After you're done, he gets a kiss.

You can also establish routines for bathing baby, strapping him into his car seat, and feeding him dinner.


6 to 12 months: Lay down the law:
Parents can begin teaching house rules around six months, when the baby starts to comprehend cause and effect. A baby this age can memorize actions and reactions -- when I turn the cup over, the juice pours out -- but she's not yet able to fully control her behavior.

The mantra until then: Be patient and consistent. Though babies under a year old don't understand what "no" means, they do respond to the tone of a parent's voice and can be redirected. In fact, redirection -- also known as distraction -- is the most useful tool from now until age 2. For example, find a toy or move your baby to another room to get her away from the stairs.

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Show him love and security, that is the best way to raise him. Pray that he comes to know Christ and that he makes the right decisions in life.

Answer 3

Hello, let me tell you this , i am 43 and a mother of 3 and lol if i can trun time back and do it all over again, then i would have raised my children up in church........Your son is way to young too know or understand right now but for you as his mother raise him up in the right values because this world is so bad.........While he grows let him know while he is under your roof he obides by your rules and when he reaches age and goes on his own then he can make his own choices............But untill then i think you should stand your ground in raising him in the ways of the LORD....He will be more rebelious if he don't know or see the values of GOD when he is older.....So start now while he is small rather than when he is older and you can't control nothing.........As i been learning GOD's words he states that we as parents are reliable in teaching our children the ways of the LORD............I hope this was of some help too you...................GOD bless !!!

Answer 4

There is the 'train up a child in the way he should go' that often fits here. One way to look at it, in "training" you are teaching the car to follow the engine or car in front. It is a cheesy analogy today, but that is how a train got its name, from having all these pieces following the same line, which was the train tracks. All that to say, lead and he may follow. Especially early, he will want to follow. In time he will talk like his parents (you didn't say anything about the father, but he or a father figure will figure into your son's development), walk like his parents, and in many ways model his own self to things observed in his parents. It will still turn out to be his life, but you draw the lines that will be his comfort and frame of reference. Your values will be his values until he questions and abandons those he does not understand or cannot appreciate. Remember too, what he learns at three will not have the same meaning at 13, and the message you gave at two will need more substance when reiterated at 12. Good luck.

Answer 5

Teach your child the difference between right and wrong. Rules and regulations. Do unto others and you would have them do unto you.... do not push YOUR religion down his throat but be sure to guide him onto the right path.... when he is old enough (maturity wise not age wise) furnish him with all the information you can find on the different religions and talk with him about it. Be open minded - what is right for you may not be right for your son. But let him choose his own path in life and feel sercure when you get to that point that you have been the best parent and helpful friend and guide that you knew how to be. You prepared him for his journey - now he has to chose which path he will have to take (when he gets there - obviously not at 6 months).

I am doing the same thing - my mother is Catholic - and I was raised with her religion up to a point in my life - then I decided to search for something more -

Now I have my daughter - my beliefs - but will not push my religion on her (she is almost 2 now) I will teach her how to behave civilly, how to treat people, what is right and what is wrong, how to share, how to say no and not be pressured... and how to join in society.... but when she is older and wants to know about the different religions I will help her research and discuss the options until she finds which ever she feels is right for her life...

Answer 6

Right now i can tell you that your child don't have any decision,till he turns 18 if u let your guard down your child can do what he want like walking with the wrong crowd. And talking back to u if you teach him right u won't be disappointed.teach your son the will of God and he will know exactly what to do in the future instead of hanging in the street trust me.And advise your son to do the right thing then in the future u won't have complains about anything but people telling u how great your son is and what a good job u did raising him

Answer 7

I was raised in a Southern Baptist home, it was always my decision to go to church or not. I went most of the time when I was younger because I enjoyed it. I can honestly say the most rebellious kids I knew growing up were the preachers kids, and not just of my church. Teach him a strong secular sense of right from wrong and respect of others for societal reasons, and he will always have a sense of that regardless of his religious beliefs at any age.... because all bets are off when he hits 13 so brace yourself.

Good luck, just being thoughtful enough to consider the question shows you'll be a fine parent.

Answer 8

If your religion is right-then you should shove it down his throat. Obviously you are not a Christian-or maybe you are just too young to know better. But at 23, unless you just started, you should be fairly well versed in your religion. If what you believe is worth dying for, you should want everyone to know it. I suspect you may be catholic- by the way you asked your question. My best advice is to find if what you believe is right. If it is-then dig in deep. If it is not, find the right one. I will be happy to give you some suggestions. If you want that -contact me through yahoo and say so.

Answer 9

I'm no expert on the subject, but let me tell you a few things my mother did right:

1. She was a devout Catholic Christian and lived her whole life according to the rules of the Church, which was sometimes quite difficult. She set a great example for her kids and I think her example had more of an effect on us than we could know at the time.

2. She demanded that all of her kids follow the laws and rules of the Church. She would personally drag us to Mass on Sunday evening if we missed it in the morning. She did not have or allow meat in the house on Fridays.

3. She sent all her kids to Catholic schools through high school, even though it was an incredible financial burden on the family. We were on our own for college, but four of the six of us managed to work our way through college.

4. My siblings and I quickly learned that the way to make our mother happy was to either excel in academics or to excel in service to the Church. Most of us adopted both as a way of life.

5. We never had much in the way of material possessions growing up, but we were taught that family fun was more important. When we had a working TV, the family would gather around it every night for a show or two; when we didn't, we would play board games. My mother was a whiz at Scrabble!

6. Sunday mornings were centered around Mass; Sunday evenings were centered around dinner.

7. Each kid's birthday was a big affair, to be remembered for weeks.

8. When we could afford the gas, we would take a vacation as a family every summer. We never visited places where you had to pay to get in, but we had a wonderful time. Usually each vacation would include one Sunday and we would find a Mass in the City we were in to attend as a family.

Good luck and God bless your efforts.

Answer 10

I am 23 and have three sons. They are 4, 3 and 1 year old. My husband and I take them all to church every Sunday and they love it. If and when the day comes that they no longer wish to go or question the faith then I will sit down and tell them all of their options. It is very important to be an unbias parent. That does not mean that it is easy. Good luck with your son and I will pray for you.

Answer 11

It's your responsibility as a parent to impart your values to your children. If you're secure in your beliefs, just make them a part of your life; you don't have to "shove anything down his throat." Just live your values and apply your beliefs to everyday life. As he matures, you have to accept that fact that he will learn other things and that he might not end up believing in everything you believe. But for now, you're the only one to guide him; why would you feel guilty about guiding him toward what you believe is right?