Developing The Fruit Of The Spirit In Your ChildSample

Peace

By Sabrina McDonald

Jasmine Malem is a typical 6-year-old girl. Light wisps of brown hair flow around her brown eyes and apple cheeks. Twice a week she works out with her personal trainer. That’s in addition to swimming and dance lessons each week. 

“We want [our daughters] to be fit, healthy and strong …” says Jasmine’s mother, Yana. And she’s not alone. Personal trainers for children is a growing trend, demanded by parents.

Concern for a child’s health is good, but hyper-focused parents like Yana forget a child is more than just a body. Children have spirits and souls, as well. They need time to create, consider, and explore. Being “bored” is when they start asking questions like—What are stars? How do birds fly? Who is God? Why am I here?

People were not designed to maintain constant accomplishment. Kids face pressure over homework and all sorts of extracurricular activities. But thousands of generations have enjoyed fulfilled lives without those things. 

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27). Here are some ways this peace can be yours:

Cut back activities. Choose one sport … or no sport at all. If they need exercise, make outside play mandatory 30 minutes a day. 

Turn down birthday parties. Will this hurt some feelings? Maybe. But maybe not. At my kids’ school, if a child sends invitations to school, she has to invite the whole class. My children get invitations continuously! If I don’t know the child, we don’t go. And guess what? No one notices. 

Remove all personal screen time. Many kids have never developed healthy relationship skills. They are exposed to cyber bullying and sexting. Growing research supports the damage of devices on brain development. Do your child a favor and put some hard boundaries around personal screen usage or remove it altogether. There will be screaming and maybe violence. Hold on! Their lives will have so much more peace. And so will yours.

For more advice on how to help your children grow in peace read, “Peace at Home” on FamilyLife.com.