How to Train Your Child to Make Wise Decisions

The Power of Decision TrainingAs parents, we cannot follow our children everywhere. They go to school, visit friends, and browse media. That is why our primary goal should not just be making decisions for them, but training them how to make wise, God-honoring decisions themselves.Here are three simple keys to guide your child's thought process:#### 1. Ask, Don't Just Tell

When your child comes to you with a dilemma, resist the urge to immediately give a command. Instead, ask: "What do you think is the right thing to do here?" This simple shift forces them to activate their moral reasoning.

1. Ask, Don't Just Tell

When your child comes to you with a dilemma, resist the urge to immediately give a command. Instead, ask: "What do you think is the right thing to do here?" This simple shift forces them to activate their moral reasoning.#### 2. Walk Back the Thoughts As Proverbs 23:7 says, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." When your child makes a poor choice, don't just punish the action—walk them back to their thoughts. What were they thinking before they did it? Help them locate the lie they believed so they can replace it with the truth.#### 3. Establish a Standard Teach your children that the standard of "good" isn't what friends say or what feels nice. The standard is always what God says in His Word. Encourage them to ask: *"Does this action match God's character?"*Start practicing these steps this week and watch your child grow in wisdom and confidence!