4 ideas on how to raise kids so they're prepared to leave home Manhood Journey

Knowing how to raise kids isn’t easy. The old saying is true, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Most of us have a ton of fun with our families. Shared experiences, funny moments, distinct memories, all make up our time together. But, it sure seems to fly by as well.

God has given us a gift in our family and it is enjoyable to be a husband and dad. With time flying by, how can we feel confident we’re doing what we should to prepare our kids. Here are four ideas on how to raise kids so they’re prepared to leave your home.

4 ideas on how to raise kids so they’re prepared to leave home

I look at my kids now and realize the window of time I have with them in the home is getting quite limited. I talk to a lot of people who are fearful of that reality. It’s like they want to hold onto their kids and the worst possible scenario is for them to leave. They are literally dreading that day.

Now don’t get me wrong, when my kids head off to college, a new town, get married and start a family of their own, there is no doubt there will be some sorrow in my heart over that transition. But friends, we were put in place as parents to launch our kids into the world equipped and ready to live fully for God’s purposes.

Psalm 127:3-5 tells us

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!”

Our children are like arrows, and we are called to launch them into the world ready to glory God, know Scripture, and be servants of the King. So what does launching entail?

4 ideas on how to raise kids:

1. Embrace the daily grind.

We know what this means when we work out physically, but I am talking here about the day-to-day patterns with our family. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Breakfast, times alone with your kids, after dinner—embrace the daily grind—the pattern of giving biblical truth to your family. Many days won’t seem all that spectacular, but years of doing this consistently will yield dividends.

2. Teach them what it means to be a man or woman of God.

Our culture has lost its way when it comes to speaking about manhood and womanhood. Let your kids know that God made them either as men, for strength, leadership, and protection, or women, for beauty, competence, and the bearing and nurturing of children. They need to hear this from you and they need to see it modeled.

3. Give them a vision for life.

The Bible tells us that we were created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (Ps. 16:11; 1 Cor. 10:31). This can take many different forms as our kids have wide-ranging interests in their childhood and will pursue different fields of work in their adult lives. Help them know what it means to live as a Christian in the home, church, work, and society. The world will constantly be casting its own vision for our family, we need to be sure God’s agenda is front and center.

4. Dedicate yourself to your marriage.

It may sound odd, but if we want to launch our kids effectively, we need to devote ourselves to our wives. Not just once the kids leave, but all the way up to that point. It is inevitable that our kids will leave, our time with them is limited, and our marriage will continue. We cannot neglect this vital relationship, we must continue to give ourselves to love our wives as Christ loves the church.

Brothers, let’s dedicate ourselves to launching our kids effectively and see them engage the world with grace and truth, just as God would have them do.