Attention Parents: One of Your Most Powerful Tools

I read this the other day, on a website devoted to parenting.

“Your toddler has a curious mind and so there is no limit to the number of questions that he may ask you in a day. Sometimes, the questions may be repeated too. However, studies have revealed that on an average a toddler can ask about 100 to 300 questions in a day.” https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/common-questions-toddlers-ask-repeatedly/

I do remember when we were raising our children, at that toddler stage, there were questions. Why is water wet? How was I made? Why do people die? What does “no, we don’t have the money” mean? We never counted the number of questions per day, but studies show very high numbers.

Knowing what to say in response to your children and giving right answers with care is one of the most powerful tools parents can use to inform, to encourage curiosity and train them in what is right.

Moses knew this (from the highest source). He told the Israelites:

 “When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?’  then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.  And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes.  And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers.  And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day.  And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us’.” (Deut. 6:20-25)

This passage illustrates the power of responding to our children’s questions. When they witness a baptism and ask what that is about; at a funeral and they inquire about death; at a wedding and they ask about marriage – good responses given with care are memorable. Later, perhaps in the teenage years, questions may arise about the authority of the Bible, the deity of Christ, the relevance of the local church, marriage, divorce and remarriage – again, good responses given with care are memorable teaching moments.

Give God’s answers to your children.