by Natasha L. Kohlhoff Polak

Created on: February 18, 2007   Last Updated: May 17, 2009

A mother is responsible for running the home and training her children how to become independent, while a father protects the home and provides opportunities for the children to learn problem-solving skills. When these responsibilities are laid out this way, there remains a balance in the home that leads to a unified spiritual life together.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

As part of teaching children the proper skills, parents must take great care in how they react to situations, because children will not just repeat all the positive traits they see displayed at home. Once thought of as the father's function alone, mothers play an even bigger role in training the children proper habits and behavior. This is clearly pointed out in Proverbs 29:15, where a child who is not controlled ends up disgracing his mother. A mother must constantly wear the hats of peacemaker, counselor, caregiver, and sometimes cook, with the strength and quiet authority that lets her children know she will not be swayed in her morals. She must also take pride in her work, so that it counts for something, in turn teaching her children to do everything to the best of their abilities. Other tasks a mother undertakes on behalf of her children include having daily interaction with the Lord, managing finances, staying organized, maintaining relationships with others, and assigning chores so that her children turn into selfless adults.

How a mother handles being a disciplinarian, a judge, and an enforcer all make an impact on how her children build confidence in becoming independent. Children respond best to order and having logical consequences for their actions, so that they know what to expect. They equate caring parents with those care enough to give them attention in some form, and often act out when there is an absence of enforcing discipline. Therefore, a mother lays down rules to follow, and her children take her seriously.

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her."Proverbs 31:28

A diligent mother earns her entire family's admiration, recognized for the labor that goes into each of her decisions on behalf of those whom she loves. As a mother completes multiple tasks on a daily basis, and still has ample time to spend with her children, those children are reminded of how highly they are valued. And that goes a long way to raising responsible individuals who will one day resume the role of being parents some day themselves.

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