Helping children strengthen their will

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  • mycupoverflows
    Participant

    Hello all,

    I’d like some opinions on practical ways to help my sons’ wills. Yesterday my 7yo and 6yo were “caught” watching a movie (that they knew was deemed inappropriate for them) early in the morning while everyone was asleep. After I recovered from feeling furious and deceived, my husband and I doled out what we felt what was appropriate consequences. But the reality is that I want them to develop strong enough wills so that when a temptation is presented to them again (which it will!) they can choose what is right on their own. Does anyone have any practical advice on how to encourage this?

    butterflylake
    Participant

    I found this older post and it fits my own need for my ds5. Anyone have any advice on developing a will to right behaviour in young children?

    Huggins
    Member

    My boys are 10 and 12. I don’t exactly know when we started talking with them about things like this so I will just tell you what we have done so far. We have approached things from the stand point of not if they see something inappropriate, but when. We have talked and talked with them about looking away from bad things and not watching inappropriate movies and shows. We talk a lot about why we don’t watch certain movies and saying no to ourselves. Even as parents we don’t watch things our kids can’t watch. We don’t have cable either because even commercials can be shocking. I know this isn’t a list of things to do to help their will. I would say one of the most important is prayer. Their attitudes and actions speak from their heart and only God can change that. I have seen Him do amazing and beautiful things in my boys heart. I could tell them until I’m blue in the face to not do something, but God has to change their heart and desire to do right. Second, talk with them about why you don’t watch those things and that God gives us boundaries to protect us, not to limit us. Something God showed me is that my kids are kind of like a garden, something I have to tend to each day, checking for weeds and watching them grow. Some weeds are easy to pull and others are in there a little deeper but I just have to work at it until it comes out.

    I hope that helps. Pray and God will show you how to teach them.:)

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