Childcare

Gives in this lecture practical and spiritual teaching about the care of the child from before birth until the stages of early childhood and adolescence. He focuses that care begins in the mother’s womb — physically and psychologically — and that the family, the church and the society are all responsible for shaping the child. He affirms that religious upbringing is delivered by imitation and good example and is taught by rote and appropriate practice according to the child’s age.

The main idea

Child care begins before birth and continues through the early childhood years, and the child is a soft clay shaped by what the family, church and society give him.

The spiritual and educational dimension

• Religious upbringing is given by example (parents, grandmothers, and servants) and by surrender in childhood, then by explanation and discussion in later stages.

• Baptism has a role in confronting original sin, but daily upbringing plants a practical religious life.

Practical principles of care

• Give the child genuine love (not wrong pampering) and a sense of security at home and in the church.

• Justice in treatment among siblings prevents jealousy and strengthens family relations.

• Do not remedy a mistake by another disciplinary mistake; change behavior by substitution: give him something good to fill a void instead of repeating his reproach.

• Use stories, hymns, and psalms from early age to fix the religious life.

• Choose entertaining materials and suitable books, and care for toys and programs that develop intelligence away from chaos.

About siblings and play

The child needs a brother or sister to share play, quarrel and reconciliation — the only child may feel an emotional void that pushes him to seek love outside the home.

About trust and honesty

Be an example in honesty; losing trust between children and parents leads to withdrawal and to possibilities of religious apostasy or deviation.

Spiritual guide inside family and church

It is proper that one of the parents or one of the household leaders be a spiritual guide, and if this is lacking the church, the school and spiritual counseling centers are required — but care must not become mere information but spiritual guidance and direction.

Short conclusion

Educational and spiritual care of the child is a shared duty between the family, the church and the society, and requires continuity of love, wisdom and sound practice that suits the ages of children.

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