Train up a child

Training up a child in the way they should go reminds me of a moment from my daughter’s early years. She’s 15 today, but I still remember the phase when she constantly approached the electric socket and stereo wires. No matter how many times I warned her to stay away, she kept crawling back—almost as if it were a game, testing boundaries, pushing limits.

And isn’t that exactly how children learn? Their curiosity leads them to explore, repeat, and challenge what they’ve been told. It’s in those moments—when they push back, when they don’t immediately understand—that consistent guidance matters most.

To train a child is to repeat the same step over and over again until understanding takes root. It’s a process, a journey—not just a single lesson but a continuous investment in their growth.

Effort and consistency teach children the value of discipline and shape their future behavior. Training isn’t about control; it’s about guidance. It’s leading by example—pairing words with action, showing rather than simply telling. That’s how our children truly learn—not through force, but through patient repetition and unwavering presence.

I remember when my daughters were young. I would repeat certain words, reinforce lessons, and state my position firmly. At times, it felt like I wasn’t getting through to them, like my words were floating away unheard. But as they grew older, something remarkable happened—they began to teach me. And I smile, knowing that those lessons, those seeds I planted years ago, have now blossomed in their lives.

Too much force breeds resistance, and too little guidance can leave gaps. Balance is key—nurturing a child’s willingness to learn through repeated actions and an open heart, rather than rigid demands. Because true growth happens when children choose to embrace wisdom, not when it’s forced upon them.