9 RULES WITHOUT RELATIONSHIP RESULT IN
REBELLION; RELATIONSHIP WITHOUT RULES RESULTS IN CHAOS.

Parenting is not about setting rules, but rather building a relationship with your child. Without a relationship, your child will never understand any rules or boundaries. Without understanding, a child looks for ways to rebel.

Your rules without you are meaningless. Your relationship without rules breeds confusion and chaos in a child’s life. Rules establish boundaries that protect you and your children.

Your relationship with your child provides the bridge for communication, understanding, sharing, and growing together. The key to your child’s future success is a positive, healthy relationship with you that has boundaries for both of you.

A parent provokes a child to anger and rebellion when rules are arbitrary, inconsistent, without reference to God’s truth, and enforced with power instead of love.

Rules foster rebellion when a child doesn’t understand the reasons behind the rules or the consequences for breaking the rules. Excessive consequences for breaking rules teach a child that a parent can be unfair and unjust.

And now a word to you parents. Don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice (Eph. 6:4 TLB).