One of the emphases I’ve made over the years is the need for parents to rightly praise their children. Echoing the language found in the baptism of Jesus, I remind folks of the Father’s bold declaration that Jesus is His “beloved Son with whom He is well pleased.” I especially wish to emphasize the profound affect praise has when it comes from the lips of fathers.
While praising required duties (Lk. 17:10) like doing daily chores is not always necessary, acts of confession, truthfulness in the midst of culpability, genuine acts of repentance, honor to those in authority, etc. should be praised often and consistently as acts that shape and develop the character of our children as they grow in godliness and grace.
