It needs to be stressed that our goal is not well-behaved children, but godly children. Godliness produces biblical joy and spontaneous smiles through life. There is a certain kind of well-behaved child that displays every sign of life but lack genuine interest in life. They smile at the mechanics of day-to-day interactions but within express a disdain for relationships. Parents, don’t confuse both. Cultivate what the Puritans referred as “heart religion;” an intense digging into your child’s emotions and imaginations. Bring out in daily conversations the heart of the matter so that the matters of the heart can be discussed and engaged. It’s a worthy pursuit.
