PERSONAL REFLECTION
A mother's experience of noticing a sudden behavioural change in her child, responding with godly correction, and discovering the power of prayer.
INTRODUCTION
As parents, we pray for our children, care for them, protect them and desire to see them grow into responsible and godly individuals. However, there are moments when we begin to notice changes in their behaviour that concern us.
Children are constantly growing and learning. They observe what happens around them and can easily pick up behaviours from the people and environments they encounter. Sometimes, a child who has always behaved in a particular way may suddenly begin doing things that are completely unfamiliar to their parents.
As a mother, I recently experienced this with my daughter.
What happened taught me an important lesson about influence, observation, godly correction and the power of prayer.
WHEN I NOTICED THE CHANGE
My daughter regularly interacts with other children.
Every Sunday, we attend church, where she meets and plays with children her age and even children who are older than her. She attends Children's Church and Sunday School, where she is exposed to different personalities and behaviours.
Yet, despite regularly being around different children, I had never noticed her suddenly developing behaviours that were unusual for her.
She had also previously had a playdate with another child around her age who attends the same church as we do. The child came to our home, and they spent more than five hours together playing and enjoying themselves.
After that playdate, I noticed no negative change in my daughter's behaviour. She remained the same.
Then came another experience that made me stop and pay attention.
My daughter met another child for the very first time, and they spent approximately three hours together.
During that time, I observed certain behaviours from the other child, including tantrums, unnecessary crying and stamping her feet when upset.
To my surprise, after that encounter, I began noticing my daughter doing some of the same things.
She started stamping her feet when she was upset. She began crying unnecessarily over certain things - behaviours that were unusual for her.
I was concerned because this was not the behaviour I had known from my daughter.
It made me realise something important: Children can learn very quickly from what they observe.
Sometimes, it is not simply about how long a child spends with someone. It can also be about what they are exposed to and what they begin to imitate.
MY RESPONSE AS A MOTHER
I knew that simply getting angry would not necessarily solve the problem.
I did not want to allow the new behaviours to continue until they became normal habits, but I also knew that correction needed to come with love.
So, I decided to respond with love, correction, teaching and prayer.
Whenever my daughter displayed behaviour that was not right, I corrected her gently. I explained to her that certain actions were not good and that she should learn to do what is right.
I began intentionally teaching her about good behaviour.
I spoke to her about kindness, respect, obedience and doing good. I reminded her of the values we want to build in her as she grows.
Rather than simply saying, 'Don't do that!', I tried to teach her what she should do instead.
CORRECTING WITH LOVE
Ephesians 6:4 - “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
Correction is an important part of raising children. However, correction should not only be about punishment. It should also involve teaching, guidance and patience.
Our responsibility as parents is not simply to tell our children that something is wrong. We must also help them understand the right way.
Children need guidance. They need someone to patiently show them the difference between right and wrong.
Sometimes, behind a child's behaviour is simply a child who is learning, observing and trying to understand the world around them.
That is why we must correct them with love.
TEACHING OUR CHILDREN THE WORD OF GOD
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children.”
I also began intentionally teaching my daughter about good behaviour through the Word of God.
I wanted her to understand that being raised in a Christian home is not only about attending church or hearing Bible stories. It is also about learning values that reflect God's love.
The Bible teaches us about love, kindness, obedience, patience and respect. These are values we should begin teaching our children from an early age.
Our children may be young, but they can begin learning godly values early in life. The words we repeatedly speak to them can help shape their understanding and behaviour.
The lessons we teach them today can become part of the foundation they carry into tomorrow.
THE POWER OF PRAYER
James 5:16 - “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
One of the most important things I did was pray.
As a mother, I realised that there are some things we cannot handle through our own strength alone.
We can correct. We can teach. We can guide. But we must also pray.
I brought my daughter before God in prayer and continued asking Him to guide her heart, behaviour and character.
I prayed that the behaviours that concerned me would not become part of her character. I prayed that she would continue to grow with good values and godly character.
And in no time, I began to see a change. The behaviours that had concerned me began to disappear. Things began to change.
For me, this was a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of a praying parent.
With prayer, God showed up.
DON'T IGNORE WHAT YOU NOTICE
Sometimes, parents may notice a change in their child's behaviour and simply ignore it, hoping it will disappear on its own.
But there is wisdom in paying attention.
This does not mean we should panic over every small behaviour. Children are growing, developing and learning.
However, when we notice something that needs correction, we should lovingly guide them.
Do not allow a behaviour that needs correction to become a permanent habit simply because it was ignored.
Pay attention. Correct with love. Teach with patience. Pray with faith.
CHILDREN ARE A GIFT FROM GOD
Psalm 127:3 - “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
Our children are precious gifts entrusted to us.
The world will teach them many things. Friends will influence them. School will influence them. Social media will influence them. Their environment will influence them.
But as parents, we must ensure that the voice of godly teaching is also strong in their lives.
We cannot control every influence our children encounter, but we can intentionally build a strong foundation within them.
MY LESSON FROM THIS EXPERIENCE
My experience taught me something important: It is not always about how long our children spend around someone. Sometimes, what matters is what they are seeing, learning and absorbing.
My daughter had spent more than five hours with one child without any noticeable negative change in her behaviour. She regularly spends time with children at church.
Yet, after approximately three hours with another child she had just met for the first time, I began noticing behaviours that were completely unfamiliar to her.
That experience reminded me of how quickly children can observe and imitate.
As parents, we cannot keep our children away from everyone. They will meet people. They will make friends. They will attend school. They will play with other children.
But we must remain observant and intentional. When we notice a change, we should ask ourselves:
What has my child been seeing? What has my child been hearing? What might my child be learning or copying?
And most importantly: How can I lovingly guide my child in the right direction?
For me, the answer was not panic. It was not anger. It was love, correction, teaching and prayer.
“With prayer, God showed up.”
CONCLUSION
Proverbs 22:6 - “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Parenting is not always easy.
There will be moments when our children surprise us. There will be behaviours we need to correct. There will be influences we may not fully understand.
But our response matters.
We do not have to respond only with anger or frustration.
We can respond with love. We can respond with wisdom. We can respond with godly correction. And we can respond with prayer.
My daughter's temporary change in behaviour reminded me of the importance of paying attention, correcting early, teaching intentionally and praying continually.
Children are always learning.
WHAT ARE WE INTENTIONALLY TEACHING OUR CHILDREN?
A PRAYER FOR OUR CHILDREN
Heavenly Father, thank You for the precious children You have entrusted into our care. Give us wisdom to raise them according to Your Word. Help us to correct them with love, teach them with patience and guide them in the right path. Protect them as they grow and help them develop good character. May our children grow to know You, love You and follow Your ways. Give us the grace to continually pray for them and never grow weary in raising them. In Jesus' name, Amen.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6