99999 99999 It is a matter of reality that today's children will be tomorrow's adults. As I have often thought, our children are our greatest natural resource. Indeed, an important reminder is that we need to be making sure that we are providing our children today will the best foundation possible for their lives.

99999 Sometimes without realizing it we give our children the latest from the world of gadgets, gizmos, and games. Maybe we even try to justify this as we think about the pleasant memories of childhood this will provide them. The truth may be that as adults we like having these things around in part for our enjoyment too!

99999 The following listing is a reminder to us as parents of some things we need to be making sure our children are receiving. Think of these as building blocks our children need as they build their future. If we do not provide these things for our children, they will be hindered and handicapped in building a successful future.

99999 1. Unconditional Love 99 The world can be rough and tough at times. Our children need to have the confidence that we will always be there for them, we want what is best for them, and that we love them. This confidence will give them a security that will shelter them in the storms of life.

99999 2. Open Communication 99 Home needs to be the place where we can openly share the thoughts and feelings with one another. This is certainly important in the parent-child relationship. Devoting regular and significant time to conversation with our children from the earliest time in their lives can pay rich dividends in the future. Open communication is certainly crucial as they reach the sometimes turbulent teenage years. If they are made to feel comfortable they can discuss anything with us, this will be a great help to them as to us as parents during this time of transition in their lives.

99999 3. The Proper Example 99 While there is instruction that we verbally give our children, there is also the instruction we give them by the example we are setting before them. Our children have the uncanny ability to watch and remember seemingly little things that we have long forgotten. The unfortunate thing is when those occasions are times of weakness in our lives. Often the lessons we give our children by our examples are the ones they remember most. May this be a sobering reminder to us to do our best to always set before them the proper example in behavior and attitude. To borrow a popular advertising slogan, giving our children a proper example is "a gift that keeps on giving."

99999 4. A Moral Compass 99 By the time our children reach adulthood, they will have established convictions regarding morality. If we neglect our responsibility to teach them that some things are right and some things are wrong, we can be assured they will be influenced from other sources regarding morality. Teaching and training in moral matters is the responsibility of the home.

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99999999999999999999999999 Bruce Ligon

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