TITLE:  Successful Momming
TEXT:  Proverbs 22:3-6
PROPOSITION:  There is a skill to proper training.
QUESTION:  How?
KEY WORD:  Requirements
SCRIPTURE READING:  Same

 INTRODUCTION:

1. Motherhood does not carry the same meaning as in the past.
   1. 1970 – 53% - best part of being a woman – motherhood
   2. 1983 – 26% - best part of being a woman – motherhood
   3. 2000 – 20% - best part of being a woman – motherhood
2. Mothers are critical – primary caregivers
3. The Bible gives some keys to being “successful momming”

 Train up your child

1. Popular verse – often misunderstood
2. Mothers worry about how their children are being raised
3. Usual interpretation:
   1. Take them to Sunday School, church, VBS
   2. Teach them Bible songs – Jesus Loves Me
   3. Say prayers at mealtime and bedtime
   4. Send them to church camp, youth rallies, Christian College
   5. They will turn out to be faithful Christians – preacher, elder, SS teacher
4. You and I know – That it does not always work out that way.
5. Train your child in the manner befitting the child
   1. Literally – “in accordance with his way”
   2. Use words, concepts, the child can understand
   3. Give rules, set punishments the child can comprehend
   4. Each child is different – different traits, characteristics, mood, mannerisms, reactions

 Children have “bents” (traits, personalities, reactions)

1. Grooming the good bents
   1. Cultivate the skills and abilities of each child
   2. Soccer, flute, baseball, piano, art, karate
2. Don’t make them fulfill your fantasy
   1. Football star, beauty queen
   2. Sports vs. art or music
3. Oppose the bad bents
   1. Many other influences – friends, school, movies, TV
   2. They will pick up bad habits,
   3. Police their environment – control what you can

 When he is old he will not depart

1. Does not encourage sowing wild oats, then repent late in life
2. This may work out sometimes – not always, or even usually
3. James Dobson – survey of 853 parents of rebellious child
   1. 53% now accept parents values
   2. 32% somewhat accept parents values
   3. 15% still reject their values
4. This means the properly trained child should stick to the course