I've been reminded recently, on several
occasions, of how important is parents' role as the gatekeeper for the
education of our children. We simply cannot turn our children over to
someone else to be cared for or taught without paying close attention
and intervening when needed. So often, I think, we assume that since no
other parents object then there must not be anything about which to be concerned. I know that in some areas that was my assumption.
For Christians, this is even more imperative since God's instructions
in the New Testament regarding children continually warn us
not to interfere with their development, not to hinder them, not to
cause them to stumble. When we allow others to present them with
incorrect theology and biblical interpretation, casual views of God and
holy things, or instructions about personal matters that rightly should
be handled by parents, I believe we are presenting them with a stumbling
block.
Even when we ourselves are teaching our children, as we are instructed to do, we must be vigilant about the teaching and care they receive from others--we are charged with that responsibility for our own children.
My dh & I were just talking about this the other night. I was aware that I wasn't as diligent with our younger children as much as I was with the older ones. The challenge I find with 7 children is to not grow weary or get slack because I've done it all before. I really need to view each child as an individual. Thanks for the reminder!
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