As you read this page, please keep in mind that the contents are my opinion, and not meant to be taken as advice.

Children are gifts from God, and are given to us on loan to love, nurture and teach. They are not our personal property and they are not our slaves. We are given this wonderful little bundle of joy all wrapped up with a combination of genes from both its mother and father and a few thrown in from those ancestors that even we parents can't remember or ever even knew. Being vain as we are, we mistakenly wish that these little ones will be just like us. But thank goodness, God has another plan for each and every child put on this earth.

My strongest opinion on raising children is " Love that child"! If you do that, the rest is easy. I don't mean that getting him/her from birth to adulthood will be a cinch. I have heard people say that when you have children, you have to sacrifice. I feel that is a bad choice of words. Yes, a child changes your life greatly, but in the best way imagineable. "Love" is what makes it not sacrifice, but an absolute joy to change your priorities in life.

"Respect your child"! He/she is a human being with ideas and opinions of his/her own. If you don't agree with what he/she thinks, respect his/her opinion and be glad he/she feels free to voice that opinion. If you show your child respect, the child in turn will respect you for it. Give the child respect and he will garner self-esteem from that.

"Trust your child"! If you show your child that you trust him/her, he/she in return will see that trust is not betrayed.

"Set an example"! Example has always been the best teacher. If you as a parent live like you would like your child to live, this will be deep rooted in that child all his/her life. Peer pressure is real, but home is where the root example comes from.

"Give them wings"! When the time comes, let go of the child who has become a young adult. He/she has a life of his/her own to live. Don't give advice unless it is asked, and even then give it sparingly. We made our own mistakes. Your child also has that right.