Create A Peaceful Home Series

When I was in high school we switched from class to class. I noticed we had different kinds of teachers. Certain teachers like Mrs. Winston, my 9th grade English teacher, came on really strong. She was one tough cookie and took no gruff from anybody. She was the iron lady. As the months wore on, however, you know what I found out? I found out that she actually had an interesting sense of humor and was extremely fair. I also found out that pretty much anybody who was even half way serious about school actually liked her class, because you could learn without distraction. We had another teacher who was “Mr. Cool.” He wanted to impress all of us teen guys (and gals). He was determined to be our friend above all else. Most everybody eventually saw through it and he lost respect. Mrs. Winston, “Iron Lady” was always voted one of the most popular teachers. I’m sure that Mrs. Winston ran a tight ship as much for her, as for the students. It’s okay to make life easier on the parents. Discipline is the for parent’s sake as much as the children.

Susanna Wesley had 16 practical rules for her home that were, as we will see, as much for the parent as for the child.

1. Eating between meals is not allowed. Why is that a good rule for parents? Because there’s a lot more cost and housework when people are just eating any time they want.

2. Children are to be in bed at 8 o’clock. This guideline is almost totally for the parent. Is an early bedtime “good” for the child? No, they would rather stay up and have fun. But a happy child makes for an unhappy parent. The truth is, however a consistent bedtime does help the child as well.

3. Children are required to take medicine without complaining. She didn’t want to hear any bellyaching. Just take your medicine and hush up, that’s for the parent as well as the son.

4. Subdue self-will in a child and work together with those who are working to save a child’s soul. God points out, and Mrs. Wesley clarifies, that once you’ve subdued a child’s self-will, then (and only then) can you begin to be lenient. Until they can learn to submit cheerfully in everything, 100% of the time, there can be no mercy. You’ve got to keep the screws tightened down.

5. Teach a child to pray as soon as they can speak. When the peace of God is in a heart it comes to the surface.

6. Require all to sit still in family worship. They had family Bible times several times a week or more, where the children had to be attentive and not disruptive. Parents are able to enjoy family life more when they feel respected.

7. Give them nothing that they cry for and only when asked politely. This rule is helps a parents mental wellbeing for sure!

8. To prevent lying, punish no fault which is first confessed or repented of. There is no use creating drama unless it is necessary.

9. Never allow a sinful act to go unpunished. One act of leniency results in ten times to get them back to a good beginning point. In a child’s mind it’s like this, “they gave in once they may give in a second time.” If parents give an inch it takes ten inches to get it back.