Seven Effective Ways to Preach to Your Child And Have them Love It

There are three things that all young people strongly dislike.
1. Being preached to
2. Being put down by others, especially parents and teachers
3. Being yelled at

As parents we know how difficult it can be to refrain from doing all three. When we’re angry things just come out and we regret them right after the deed is done. Thank God for the phrase “I’m sorry.”

We all seem to have a strong tendency to preach at our kids. And why shouldn’t we? We were on the receiving end of preaching for a long time when we were kids. Now it’s our turn.

The main reason why we should never preach at our children is this: It doesn’t work. As much as we want them to listen and follow our words of wisdom and advice, they won’t.

Well friends I have found the secret to preaching without them considering it preaching. In fact they will actually enjoy it and it will do a lot to bond you to one another.

“What’s the secret?” I hear you asking excitedly!

It’s quite simple. Storytelling.

Ever since we were children we have had a hunger for stories. “ Tell me a story Mommy.” Tell me a story Daddy.” were words that came out of our mouths at least once a day.

Our love of stories doesn’t stop when we leave childhood. I read recently that adults listen to over 60,000 stories a year. This doesn’t seem unreasonable when you consider that every conversation, every newspaper and newscast involves the telling of and listening to stories. Every time we ask someone what they’ve been up to or how things are going we are requesting a story.

Here are 7 surefire tips on using stories to preach to your children and have them love it.

1. Don’t begin a story with “ Once Upon a time…” unless you’re dealing with very young children.

2. Become aware of stories with a message while you read , listen and view the media.

3. When you find a story you can use jot the story line down in few words.

4. Practice telling the story in your own words. Feel free to embellish the story to suit your situation.

5. When you tell the story let it speak to the listener.

6. You can ask a question related to the story when you’re finished but don’t try to condition their response. Just listen.

7. Keep your stories short and crisp. Don’t get bogged down in detail.

Start by identifying the values and ideals your family cherishes and affirms and  then start looking for stories.

If you want to learn more on how to become a master storyteller why not visit HERE

My Most Popular True Story... The Magic of...

Story...The Magic of the Night Sky

I love the night sky. There is something comforting, mysterious and hopeful about standing under a canopy of swirling stars. Each summer I go camping alone in Canada's beautiful northland to satisfy a hunger for solitude, wilderness and the night sky. Away from city lights there is nothing more awe inspiring than a star studded sky in the stillness of the wilderness.

I usually set up camp beside a lonely northern lake providing me with a long horizon and an uninterrupted view of the heavens. As darkness approaches I begin to sense an overwhelming closeness to the mysteries of the universe and a strong connection to the source of all that is. I become aware of an alternate rhythm to life - a rhythm which is so easily lost amidst the frenetic pace of contemporary existence. Embraced by darkness, with stars too numerous to count and comforted by the gentle lapping of the waves I begin to realize how much I miss living in a city with its incessant, invasive brightness. It is as if I am rediscovering an enormous part of a lost spiritual heritage.

When sleep begins to engulf me and my eyes start to close, I reluctantly move toward my camper not wanting to miss a moment of this celestial display but realizing that I can't resist the call to slumber any longer. In the warmth of my sleeping bag I let the silence and stillness lull me to sleep with the immortal words of Sophocles gently echoing across the centuries, " Mortal I know I am, short lived. Yet whenever I stand beneath a multitude of swirling stars I no longer tread this earth, but rise to feast with God and enjoy the food of the immortals." And so to sleep.

Mike Moore is an international speaker and writer on human potential and humor. You are invited to check out his books, tapes, special reports and manuals HERE