Push Pride Aside (Proverbs 11:2)

Pride is difficult to manage in a family. For example, you want your child to be proud of the excellent grades he or she is achieving, but you don’t want them to flaunt their intelligence in the classroom. Keeping a balance between healthy self-confidence and arrogance is challenging.

One of the best ways to teach your children this balance is to always remind them of how their talents and abilities come from God. Praises can easily go to a teenager’s head. Help them remember that they need to keep their feet firmly planted in that knowledge to mature in this area.

Another key for parents is to believe in your children but don’t “over believe” in them. What? I’m talking about how many parents tell their children they are or can be unbelievably good at everything. It’s usually unrealistic, and all that does is set them up for a big fall when they get out in the real world.

It’s good for anyone to be confident in who they are, and it’s good to instill this confidence in your children. But you should never forget that, apart from Christ, you can do nothing. With him, you can do all things he would have you do, but then you need to give him the glory.

Parenting Principle

Pride builds unhealthy arrogance while confidence builds healthy self-esteem.

Points to Ponder

• Where do you see pride in your family life?
• How have you seen pride affect other families?
• Do your children have a healthy self-confidence? Why or why not?

Taken from Once a Day Nurturing Great Kids