If you are parenting a child with extreme behavioral struggles, these 8 Biblical parenting principles for kids with behavior struggles will encourage your heart. Those struggles can leave you feeling weary and defeated. Sometimes you may be ready to just give up. I know, because I’ve been there.
The daily battles can drain your energy, test your patince, and make you wonder if anything you’re doing is making a difference. I thought about giving up. I parented a kid with extreme behavioral struggles, and it was challenging.
This post was written by: Kelly Crawford, wife and homeschooling mom to 11, is a passionate blogger, author, and speaker at Generation Cedar, where she empowers women to embrace the joys and challenges of homeschooling and raising children for God’s glory. With a heart dedicated to fostering faith-based family values, Kelly provides encouragement, practical resources, and thoughtful insights to help mothers cultivate a Christ-centered home and education. Through her engaging writing and inspiring talks, she motivates women to nurture their children’s spiritual and personal growth, equipping them to navigate the unique journey of parenting with confidence and grace. Kelly’s work reflects her commitment to building strong families and glorifying God in every aspect of life, inspiring mothers to raise their children with purpose and intentionality. You can read more & find her podcast at www.generationcedar.com
The bad news is, there is NOTHING easy about it and it will tax you to the end of yourself.
The good news is, it is at the end of ourselves when our Father is able to do His good work!
8 Biblical Parenting Principles for Kids With Behavior Struggles
1. Embrace Grace and Patience
Just as God extends His grace to us, we must offer grace to our children.Ephesians 4:32 tells us, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”When dealing with behavior struggles, we must recognize and remind ourselves that our children are still learning. Consistent discipline and correction are important, but they should be delivered with a heart full of grace and patience. Following these Biblical parenting principles can help you navigate this difficult road with love and understanding.
2. Model Godly Behavior
Children often emulate what they see. If we desire them to demonstrate kindness, patience, and self-control, we must first reflect those qualities in our own behavior.Proverbs 22:6 encourages us to “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”By modeling godly behavior, we can create a powerful environment that encourages our children to thrive.
3. Establish Clear Boundaries
Children need structure to feel secure. Setting clear boundaries is a loving way to guide your child’s behavior.Hebrews 12:11 reminds us that “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.“One of the Biblical parenting principles for kids with behavior struggles is consistent enforcement of boundaries, which helps children understand the consequences of their actions while fostering a sense of security.
4. Teach the Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 lists the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.By teaching these principles, parents can encourage their children to cultivate these characteristics in their lives. Consider creating fun, engaging activities centered around each fruit, helping children apply these virtues to their daily interactions, especially during difficult times.
5. Pray Together
Prayer is a powerful tool, both for us and for our children.James 5:16 encourages us to “pray for one another, that you may be healed.“When dealing with behavioral struggles, set aside time to pray together. Pray with your child for wisdom, patience, and understanding. By doing so, you reinforce the idea that they can always approach God for help with their challenges, a central aspect of Biblical parenting.
6. Communicate with Love
Work on keeping communication open. When discussing behavior, it’s important to approach our children with love and understanding rather than judgment.Proverbs 15:1 states, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”One thing I did with my difficult child (and several other teens) was buy a notebook and print on it that said, “Dear (child’s name), Love, Mom. Then we wrote letters in it and exchanged the notebook back and forth. It remains one of my dearest possessions, but more importantly, it helped him open up in a way he wasn’t prone to do in person. I got to hear more of his heart through that book.
7. Seek Wisdom from God’s Word
Make scripture a central part of your family’s life. Whenever a behavior issue arises, turn to the Bible for guidance. By exploring relevant passages together, you can find divine wisdom that can illuminate the way forward.Proverbs 2:6 reminds us, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”Studying the Bible provides a solid framework for everything else we teach our children.
8. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Finally, remember to celebrate the small victories along the way. Celebrate your child’s efforts, even if they stumble.Philippians 1:6 promises us that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”Celebrating progress, especially when dealing with behavioral challenges, encourages persistence and reinforces that they are on a journey of grace. Remember, it’s not about perfection but progress—and the greatest gift we can give is our steadfast commitment to raising them in the ways of the Lord. Let’s walk this path together, trusting that God is working in our children’s lives as we lean into His wisdom and grace. Parenting is a beautiful and complex calling. These Biblical principles for parenting children with behavior issues can help you foster an atmosphere of love, support, and growth.
More Biblical Parenting Encouragement:
BE SURE TO VISIT OUR SPONSOR: GRACE & TRUTH BOOKS!
For more than thirty years, Grace & Truth Books has been the go-to source for Christ-honoring, character-building books and solid children’s fiction. We also carry a wide selection of resources for the Christian life, including Bibles, study materials, gifts, evangelism tools, and thousands of titles for all ages.
This post was written by: Kelly Crawford, wife and homeschooling mom to 11, is a passionate blogger, author, and speaker at Generation Cedar, where she empowers women to embrace the joys and challenges of homeschooling and raising children for God’s glory. With a heart dedicated to fostering faith-based family values, Kelly provides encouragement, practical resources, and thoughtful insights to help mothers cultivate a Christ-centered home and education. Through her engaging writing and inspiring talks, she motivates women to nurture their children’s spiritual and personal growth, equipping them to navigate the unique journey of parenting with confidence and grace. Kelly’s work reflects her commitment to building strong families and glorifying God in every aspect of life, inspiring mothers to raise their children with purpose and intentionality. You can read more & find her podcast at www.generationcedar.com
