Subdue self-will in a child and work together with God. Teach them to pray as soon as they can speak. Give him nothing he cries for and only what is good for him if he asks for it politely. To prevent lying, punish no fault that is freely confessed but never allow a rebellious, sinful act to go unchecked. Commend and reward good behaviour. Strictly observe all your promises.
Peace

Thank you very much for this vital post..

The two are indeed strong elements for a parent to raise up children. As for my 2 and a half year old daughter, my husband and i plus the extended family try our best to bring out the best in her. Team work is good.

Another point, its good to combine the two ie Parental control and Support in raising them up in a godly way. The bible says "Teach your children in the way of the Lord and they will never depart from it" Let me share my testimony which is related to this verse. I know it will help a parent whose about to read this.

Well, when i was still pregnant with her, i dedicated my baby to God. I just laid my hands on my stomach and spoke the word, this is how i prayed "Lord you knew her before she was conceived, You also know her future for You're the one who predestines lives....You have a good plan for her life and You know why i have to bring her forth unto this world....... Father by that knowledge of Your word i now dedicate her to You, she's Yours, You are the potter she's the clay let Your will be done upon her life in Jesus name. Whenever she's not in my visinity, Lord keep and guide her from all evil and harm. For i know unless oh lord You watch over her, then i watch in vain.....I pray No gates of hell shall prevail in her life in Jesus Name. May she bring Glory to Your name as long as she lives in this planet earth.....She will be called the Blessed one, Favoured one, People will run to her for wisdom and Godly counselling and above all she'll serve You. Lord i desire she falls in the category of five fold ministry, thank you for you've heard my prayer in Jesus Name. Amen."

Believe it or not, i saw the manifestation of God upon her life while still on womb, whenever i would worship or sing praises she would kick my stomach real hard its like she was jumping and stretching, whenever i felt really low and i was constantly in tears (Was going thru a valley) she would touch my womb very softly and lovingly and i would be comforted, unborn babies knows what their mothers goes through. Now she's two years+ , she knows how to sing and praise God, she actually knows the difference and guess what, she sings in my church in the choir!!! Yes, she does, one of her favourite praise song is "Jesus You are my firm foundation" poeple are so amazed and they say if this child can praise God like that then we ought to praise Him the more. She's a challenge unto many.

Sometimes she climbs our trademill with her small kids bible and pretends it's a pulpit and she says Halleluyah...Praise God? then she murmurs words....Then she knells and prays....its so funny and divine too, guess she's gonna be a Teacher. I love Teachers and Apostles. So to me that is the hand of God. Keep raising up Kids in His name and see what God can do.

Let me just emphasize on what i've written on top, its good to introduce Jesus to children at an early age. As for mine, as soon as she started speaking words like Mama...we had bought her a kids bible full of pictures and illustrations and would read out to her....We also bought energetic Praise and Worship dvd's for kids "Jesus is my super Hero" By Hill songs...this really hepled her and within no time she knew the words...and she can really dance!!

Kids are cleaver and learn very first so whatever you imput now, the results will manifest tomorrow. One day she told my nephew who was unwell, "Dont worry Jesus is gonna heal you!!" and people were amazed. So invest more Word in them as much as you can, when they grow up they'll have no excuse but to follow His way.