How is Christian mothering different from the mothering those who do not believe in – or follow – Christ’s teachings extend to their children? Is there truly Christian parenting advice out there that differs in some way from the mainstream parenting ideas that are to be had in magazines and books that you may purchase on any website? As a matter of fact, Christian mothering does indeed differ from what could be termed “worldly mothering” by several aspects. In addition to the foregoing, the expectations of Christian mothers are quite different, since they answer to a higher authority.

In this concise guide to Christian mothering you will be able to experience some of them:

1.The first bit of Christian parenting advice that will sound a bit different is the admonition to keep God in the center of the family at all times. By recognizing that you, as a Christian parent, still have a boss above you, it is much more likely that you will parent with humility instead of a heavy hand. Similarly, by keeping Christ in the center of your household, you will not forget that it is your role to parent in the first place!

2.As a matter of fact, this brings you to the second point: the buck stops with you. The church is not responsible for turning out a little Christian, just like the school is not responsible for turning out a little scholar. Both institutions may help you, but ultimately God charged you with the responsibility to do both, and it is doubtful that He will take any excuses.

3.Christian mothering especially differs from worldly mothering in that it puts Christ first, rather than mom herself, or – as can sometimes be observed – the children. Children are a gift from God and an awesome responsibility to all involved, yet they are not the center of the parental universe.

4.Furthermore, Christian mothering requires moms especially to have a healthy self-image. It is quite impossible to teach your children to have comfort in God and be grateful for however it is that God created them, while mom herself is reading a variety of tabloid magazines that talk about a better figure in five minutes, better sex, and the latest and greatest diet fad. If you run after these things, it is impossible to teach your children not to fall for this misinformation and not to have a damaged self-image.

5.Last but not least, Christian mothering understands that there are expectations in place for the children, and as a Christian mom you will work hard to help your children to live up to these expectations rather than excusing them from aiming high and eschewing excuses why they could not, would not, or should not live up to these expectations.

Of course, discipline methods may also differ widely between Christian parents and worldly parents, yet quite frequently these methods are a mixture between Christian principles and parental history. Since the Bible addresses discipline in both the corporal sense as well as in the preventative mode, there is no clear-cut differentiation that may make Christian parents discipline one way and non-Christian parents in a different way.