If you are a parent or grandparent, you want to raise happy, healthy, successful children. But wanting and doing are two different things.

As a seasoned mother who has raised two awesome daughters to adulthood and who is now helping one of my daughters raise my five grandchildren, I would love to share some tips I’ve learned for growing great kids. As you apply these tips to the children in your own life, you will see them blossoming into the beautiful people God created them to be.

These tips may seem irrelevant to growing great kids, but they work. I have applied them to raising my own children with excellent results.

Tip #1: Put God first in your life.

You may be thinking, What does this have to do with raising children? My answer: Everything!

Remember that wonderful verse in Matthew 6: 33 NLT – Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need?

Well, that verse teaches us that when we put God first in our lives, He will provide everything else we need to live a happy and successful life—including the wisdom to raise our children.

When I was raising my daughters, I needed a lot of wisdom. Throughout the various stages of their lives, I faced decisions regarding discipline, instruction, school, and friends. Many times I wasn’t sure what to do in guiding my children. But I knew where to get sound advice. I went directly to God. And, as He promises in James 1: 5, He was very glad to give me all the wisdom I needed.

Tip #2: Put your spouse second in your life.

A happy marriage is the foundation of a strong family. When children see their parents loving and respecting each other, they feel secure and safe.

Raising children requires a lot of energy. All too often, mothers and fathers will neglect their own needs to minister to the needs of their children. While this is sometimes necessary, it must not become a habit. Take time for each other every day, even if it is only for ten or fifteen minutes.

Then set aside one evening each week just for the two of you. Don’t give in to the temptation that you don’t have the time. We never “have” the time. We must “make” the time. When children live in a home with happy parents, they, too, will be happy.

Tip #3: Develop a team spirit in your family.

The healthiest, most successful adults are those who, as children, were taught to be a part of a team. Encourage your children to support one another in their activities. If one child plays on the softball team, take all of your children to his or her games to cheer their sibling. If one of your children is an artist, encourage all of your children to support his artistic endeavors.

By developing a team spirit, you will be teaching your children that life is not all about them. It is about loving God by loving and encouraging others. Isn’t this the principle on which the Body of Christ is built–encouraging each member in his or her individual gifts so that the entire Body can function healthfully?

As you apply these three tips to raising your children, you will be nurturing future adults who will have their life priorities right and, as a result, will be happy and successful.
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Copyright 2017 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, PhD. All Rights Reserved.

Dr. MaryAnn Diorio is a widely published, award-winning author of fiction for both children and adults. Her popular children’s book, Who Is Jesus?, was published by TopNotch Press and presents the true character of Jesus to your precious little ones.

MaryAnn and her husband are the blessed parents of two awesome daughters and the delighted grandparents of five rambunctious grandchildren. You may learn more about MaryAnn at www.maryanndiorio.com and at www.maryanndiorioministries.com.