Don't Disobey. Don't Dishonor

Here's a tried-and-true parenting tip. The fewer the rules, the better! Why? Because the more rules you have, the more you need more rules to define the rules you've already made.

Marilynn and I kept it simple and created two rules we expected our children to follow: 1) Don't disobey. 2) Don't dishonor.

Obedience is fundamental. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right" (Ephesians 6:1). Godly parents represent God's oversight of their children. Meaning, children must learn that as they obey their Godly parents, they are obeying God as well. It's the beginning of a life-long process of being God's servant - obeying his will above all else.

We are in fact commanded to honor our father and mother (Exodus 20:12). Used here, the word "honor" means to lift up. Prize. Value. It's the only one of the 10 commandments that comes with a blessing. For the family and the nation itself.

Obedience and honor. We would call out our kids on these two issues alone. Over time, they consistently obeyed and honored us.

And now, as adults, our children obey and honor God.

That's all my wife and I ever wanted as parents.