Train up a child…

Time for a Kid Checkup

We check and winterize our boats. We take our cars in for an oil change and checkup. We go to the doctor to get a checkup. Do we ever just take the time to do a checkup on our kids to see how they are doing?
Now that school has been in session for a few weeks, we need to check our kids to see if they are getting off to a good start. Maybe a little course correction is needed. What are some of the things we should look for and check periodically in an evaluation of how our kids are doing? Here are some suggestions:
Do our children have a good attitude toward learning? Do they understand that education is necessary?
Are our children talking about their teacher in a respectful manner?
Are our children obeying?
Are our children doing their homework?
Are the children following a routine that includes work chores?
Do the children understand the work they are being required to do? If not, are we providing the help they need?
What kind of attitude do our children have toward the other children around them?
Do the children display good manners by being kind and considerate to others?
Are our children eating properly and getting good nutrition?
Are the children brushing their teeth and bathing regularly?
Do the children say their prayers each night?
Do the children have an attitude of compassion toward other people?
Are the children learning basic math skills? (Fourth grade and above should know their multiplication tables.)
Are the children reading at grade level?
Are the children dressing appropriately?
Do the children feel at ease to discuss any topic with mom and dad?
Are the children getting along alright at church?
Are the children getting enough physical exercise?

Of course, the purpose of any checkup is to correct whatever needs to be corrected. If anyone can go through this list and say that their children need no correcting, they are either fooling themselves or in denial. There is no perfect child! We need to understand that evaluating our children doesn’t mean that we start getting upset with them if they need to improve in any areas. The checking up is for parents as well as children to help determine what parents need to do to help the child. Simply telling a child that he/she needs to improve is not going to accomplish the needed improvement. Telling is not teaching! Growth in a child comes from the inside of that child. We, as parents and grandparents, design methods to help that child determine for self how to accomplish needed changes or improvements.