Is Your Child a Daniel or a Samson?

Daniel was a good-looking young man and quite skilled and intelligent, qualified to serve in the king's court. He also was a young man of conviction, determined to do what's right yet creative and respectful with authority. God blessed him and he advanced to a high position in the kingdom.

Samson was also a good-looking young man and quite skilled and intelligent. But he was demanding, selfish, and lacked personal conviction. He was determined to do the wrong thing and had a particular weakness when it came to relationships with women.

All parents wish their children were like Daniel, but some kids are more like Samson and require strong-willed parents to guide them to adulthood. If your child seems bent on doing the wrong thing, here are some parenting strategies you'll want to keep in mind.

1. Pray diligently
2. Work on building a strong relationship.
3. Enforce firm boundaries and talk about your convictions.
4. Have a good correction plan.
5. Help children see long-term consequences.
6. Use a crisis for good.
7. Be bold enough to say "no".

Raising a strong-willed child to be a Daniel isn't easy, but your planning, strategizing, prayer, and hard work will bring results and bless your child for years to come. When you focus on the conscience, good things happen!