Raising Girls into Women of God

I think we have practically forgotten in our culture this very important thing: that girls and boys are really men and women in training. That doesn't mean we are to call them little men and little women necessarily. But to raise them with the serious reality that we are raising the future generation, and that we are to be raising them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. To have fun and "just be kids" has its time and place. But I have been impressed lately that this isn't truly preparing my daughters to be women of God and "elect ladies". There is a time for everything, as Solomon wisely said. There is a time to let our children be children, and there comes a time to steer them towards more serious and noble ambitions. It is something I have recently been pondering a lot over.

As far as what age this should happen...maybe it is a little different with every individual, but I think it should be something that grows incrementally with each passing year. I do not expect my 5 year old to act like a 9 year old, nor a 9 year old to act like a 20 year old. But my 9 year old is nearly 10, and I am realizing that it is high time to be training her how to be a lady, and more importantly, the importance of preparing her for starting her transition from girlhood into womanhood. Isn't that a little early, you say? Well, I could let my decisions be dictated by our culture, which transitions little girls whose heads are filled with princesses and fairy tales into teenagers who are infatuated with boys and fashion into women who more interested in establishing their own pursuits and career than being godly women, wives, and mothers. Selfishness is accepted and even taught to be healthy and good. Scripture tells me to raise my children in the way that they should go, training them now to be followers of Jesus Christ and separate from the world. Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. (Prov 31)

The world's role models for little girls are Barbie, Disney movies (though not all are necessarily bad), Hannah Montana, loose pop stars, and others of that nature. It promotes self-centeredness and a longing for pleasure and entertainment. Is that what we want our girls to be seeking after?

Some things that we ought to teach our daughters:

-submission and obedience
-to serve others
-cheerfulness
-compassion
-diligence
-courage
-kindness
-Biblical knowledge and doctrinal truth
-resourcefulness
-homemaking skills
-good habits such as being tidy, attentive, disciplined, prompt, etc
-thoughtfulness of others
-modesty that starts on the inside and is evident by outward behavior and dress - a meek and quiet spirit which is manifested by modest and unshowy apparel

NOW is the time to be training them the importance of surrendering their life to Christ and denying themselves. NOW is the time to instill character, impart wisdom, teach them the Word of God. It is time to teach them the necessary skills of caring for the home and others, including things like housekeeping, home management skills, handling money, cooking, nursing/first aid skills, healthy living, and good habits that will stick with them for life. When they are young! Childhood is not just a time to be frivolous and waste it with pursuits of pleasure and fantasy and fun. It is sobering to think that so much of our children's maturity and skills depends on us, their mothers.

I believe it's important to be role models ourselves. I cannot expect my children to be godly or joyful or hardworking if I don't display the same character. I did not learn thoroughly how to be a godly, diligent, and disciplined woman in my formative years so in the last year or two I have been learning all I can through others' examples, blogs of godly women like Mrs. Fuentes, and books. If I don't act like a lady or live like Jesus is truly Lord of my life, I am certainly not going to be consistent with my talk!

If you can afford it, try to expose children to stories of excellence and godly character, particularly through nonfiction stories and historical books. Point out negative influences if they are exposed and teach them to abhor evil and pursue that which is good and pure and noble. Children must know the consequences for falling into worldliness and sin, just as Solomon related in Proverbs, the wisdom shared by a mother to her son. Here is a list of resources that sell morally pure and character inspiring literature, many of which are applicable to boys as well:

Your Story Hour CDs
Vision Forum
Christian Light Publications
Pumpkin Seed Press
Patricia St John books
Beautiful Girlhood
Library and Education Classic books
Girls Heritage Series
Children's Character Building Collection
How To Be A Lady

Here's an excellent read on raising noble women of God.