1. We need to reevaluate how we look at parenting. Children are our sons and daughters, not “boys” and “girls.” By looking at them only as our sons and daughters, we add a spiritual dimension that is missing from mainstream parenting.

2. Children are a subculture. We need to see them as a seperate culture from that of “adult” and talk to them accordingly.

3.  Children have their own way of looking at every situation. We cannot assume that they view anything even remotely like we do. By recognizing this, we can begin to ask them questions about how they see the world and make them feel valued.

4.  It is our job as parents to help our children connect to their divinity.

5.  When we take our children out of alignment with their divinity, they will spend a lifetime “off-track” and searching for what was innately known at their birth.

6.  Every child has an inner child that knows its purpose. We do not necessarily have to talk about the inner child with our child, but know that it is there and is important to help imprint a positive feeling about a child’s worth. Without our recognition of a child’s inner child, we ignore an integral aspect of their spirit.

7.  What do they need to feed their soul? How often do we ask ourselves this question about our children? It is not just the material things that need addressing. Without paying attention to their spiritual welfare, we are only partly parenting. Every day we can ask them about the things that interest them and, in doing so, we feed their souls and make them feel as if they matter.

Rev. Merilyn Davis, a.k.a. Kingdom Woman, has spent years working with military families, single parent households and children of divorce through her ministry. She is a bestselling author, keynote speaker and retreat leader. More information about her can be found at www.kingdomwomanministriesinternational.org, on Facebook at Kingdom Woman or by emailing directly at kingdomwoman07@yahoo.com.