Teach your children well and have no regrets

"These older women must train the younger women …"

-Titus 2:4 (NLT)

I recently heard an older woman comment that she wished she would have taught her children to have an appreciation for reading.

Over the years, I have heard the sorrows of many mothers who voiced regrets. From time-to-time, I've pondered a few of my own.

Jesus describes regret as a place of, "Weeping" (Luke 13:28 NLT).

I believe regrets are never completely avoidable. As a parent, it's part of our learning process. So my Mother's Day gift to you is to share some wisdom from older moms.

Teach them who Jesus is and that he loves them. Hug and kiss your children good-night. This shows them love regardless of what arguments may have taken place that day. It demonstrates to them the value of forgiveness and that we shouldn't hold on to any hard feelings.

Teach them to exhibit an attitude of gratitude, saying "please" when asking for something and "thank you" when receiving something. This can reinforce that blessings in their life shouldn't be taken for granted.

Explain God has a plan for them. Point out their special talents and abilities. Observe the things your child is good at. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Helping them to see what they are gifted at can mold their future careers and build a healthy self-esteem.

Each child is loved by God and holds a special spot in the family. It doesn't matter if they are the oldest, youngest or somewhere in-between. Let them know their spot is special. It may make a difference in how they see and respect each other.

Give them a small chore to do. Mothers tend to want to do it all ourselves because we do it better. But teaching our children to help around the house prepares them for adult life and gives them a sense of responsibility.

Teach them to pray. Even a simple bedtime prayer is an example that God is available to them when they pray.

Even with our best intent, it doesn't always mean our children will apply everything we teach them. However, it's important that we feel we gave it our best.

When regrets start troubling you, be realistic that we all have them. Then turn them over to God; He has ways of working all things out for the good.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. Invite her to speak at your church group, business or be your personal coach. She can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413, or visit www.annetteebudzban.com