The security in the title does not refer to burglar bars or iron gates, but to a much more important type of security, namely emotional security. Plenty of children experience stress, conflict and insecurity at home. Parents fight frequently and yell at each other and at them. It is time parents start asking themselves why they had children. It seems that they had children and now they have no idea what to do with them.
A child’s emotional security is dependent of the happiness, or lack thereof, in their mother and father’s marriage. South Africa has one of the highest divorce rates in the world. This says a lot about the lack of security young people experience at home. Which is why they look for security in worldly pleasures and things.
Children crave security and long to be witnesses of a happy marriage between their parents. The love shared between parents and a beautiful relationship within a marriage creates security for a child and is also an example of how their marriage should look like one day.
A fixed routine also creates security and stability. Alongside a fixed routine, clear boundaries must be implemented creating a safe space wherein children can operate. The absence of clear routines and boundaries is one of the reasons why parents and schools – good schools where there are routines and boundaries – clash.
Boundaries show children that their parents care and love them, it creates emotional security. Saying yes to everything your child wants is not doing them any favours. Discipline creates security that leads to a good self-image. A fixed routine and boundaries finally forms a child with character.
Do your children a favour and invest in your marriage. Raise your children in a disciplined home. It will create security and a safe zone for your children to maximise their development.
Proverbs 29: 15:
Wise discipline imparts wisdom; Spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.
