Uncover their sins

 Do not watch your child stand on the brink of destruction by covering up their bad behaviours. The Bible instructed us to spare the rod and spoil the child. But obviously, kids of nowadays ain't even afraid of the rod any longer. At this stage, one of the things they need is to be exposed. They'll need the other kids to laugh and scorn them momentarily before they'll change. I am a very good example. When I was a kid, I sucked my right thumb. Every attempt to make me stop it was abortive. My right thumb is presently with a couple of scares because even bodily harm was used to stop me. When a blade was used to give my thumb a long piercing, all I did was to cry over the pains and while waiting for my innocent thumb to heal, I focused on the left. At some point, I was left alone to stop it at will.

The ridiculous aspect was that, none of my classmates knew about it because it was a home habit. Perhaps, I was ashamed that they'll taunt me if they find out. However, the day I stopped sucking my thumb was the day they found out and I couldn't stand the mockery...

The mother of the most brilliant , quite, respectful and disciplined pupils in my class came to implore my assistance towards drawing her daughter back to the lane.

I was rather confused because this child is someone I have always advised the rest of my pupils to emulate her character as she is one of a kind. I was even happily giving good reports to her mother about the wonderful child she has.

However, to my surprise, she said "yes, I heard she's a good girl in school and no doubt she's intelligent, but I want you to help me, she's the opposite at home. She's a tigress, very disrespectful. She insults her elder siblings and fights them. Even me the mother, she always exchange words with me. She's very disobedient at home, please I want you to help me, she's intelligent but intelligence with a bad character is meaningless. I'm sure she fears you more, please help me , my daughter is getting out of control" I was shocked when I heard that, I couldn't even imagine that her daughter was all that she had said. If not that she was the mother, trust me, I would think that she was accusing the girl falsely. These kids mask their character to that extent?😳

I promised to do my best anyway.

She confirmed all that her mother said, gosh! It was true. My mind was crowded with a lot of thoughts as to what to do in this case. After a long ruminating of these anxious thoughts. I concluded that this child does not need a secret caution. She deserves to face her mates and explain why she had to act like that. When she can't find a better explanation, when she can't face the mockery eyes of her mates, when she feels very ashamed of herself, I guess she'll always remember that and turn a new leaf.

She seems to have forgotten about it one day, when I was done teaching. I called her, brought a Bible and caused her to face the entire class.

I made her open the popular Ephesians 6:1, she read it loudly to the hearing of the class. Then I told her "Explain to the class why you're disobedient to your parents, and why you fight with your older siblings". She couldn't speak, she couldn't look up at the faces that were already laughing at her.

After telling her all that I I could say to her. She promised to change and I waited for that.

Two weeks later, the mother called again, I thought it was to complain again but her tone of voice alone showed how grateful she was.😁😁

I think her mother loved her and felt that will be one of the means to change her daughter. She wanted the best from her not just academically but also in character. I have equally learnt from her.

Sometimes, don't cover your child's bad behaviours all in the name of family secret. That is part of training the child in the way he should go.

While cautioning her that day, I told the rest of the pupils "I'm sure your parents did not tell me all the truth about you, some of you are worse at home but because your parents do not want you to bear the shame now and change for tomorrow, they'll protect you. Her mother loves her a lot because it takes courage to do what she did".

😁Agredecido😁