Children are a blessing from the Lord (Psalms 127:3-5). With blessings come responsibility. Here are 9 ways we can invest in our children:

1. Time

Time is one of the most in-demand commodities a parent has!

There was a popular philosophy in the 80s, which thankfully seems to have gone the way of the dinosaur, that preferred “quality time” to “quantity time.” Children need both quality AND quantities of time (Deut. 6:6-7).

Want to know what areas are most important in your life? What do you spend the majority of your time on?

2. Eyes

We see our child’s needs and are responsive to them.

We see his progress and encourage him forward.

We see his blunders and help him grow through them.

3. Ears

We are good listeners, making eye-to-eye contact when our children relate something to us.

We let them know how much we value their opinions — as we help them learn to form grounded ones.

4. Interest

We show our genuine, involved interest in each child’s projects, and other items, hopes, dreams, thoughts, and interests that are important to him.

5. Energy

We take care of ourselves so that we can keep up!

Those walks, hikes, fishing trips, and museum perusals are invaluable opportunities as we “walk by the way.”

6. Talent

It is easy to feel our talents must be used for a higher purpose, some important earthly ministry.

We have no more important ministry than our children. They are first on the receiving line of our talents.

7. Relationships

Next to God and our husbands, our relationships with our children are our most important relationships. Relationships require time and investment.

8. Prayers

God knew our children before they were formed in the womb. He knows the plans He has for them. Our children are at the top of our prayer list as we seek His guidance.

9. Strength

Standing firm, going against the flow, seeing what is right and sticking by our guns, providing the discipline that our children need and deserve to become the people God would have them be — all take strength (Phil. 4:13).

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For this time, our children are our most important investment. Our priorities will reflect the level of investment we have made.

If he is loved, positively disciplined, and encouraged in his abilities and desire to be independent, he will have a good self-concept. But if his parents act as though he is an irritation and a problem to them, he will accept their point of view as correct. In fact, over-busy or distracted parents can easily give the child the impression that he is in the way.

Raymond & Dorothy Moore, Home Grown Kids