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

Every aspect of a child’s life is influenced by external factors, including daycare and education. Most students in America spend about 1,260 hours a year in school, which is based upon 180 school days and 7 hours of schooling per day. This is a significant and transformative amount of time, either for the good or the bad.

A child will be deeply impacted by who is caring and educating them, and by what they are being taught.

The Bible says, train up a child in the way he (or she) should go. This means there is a proper way to train a child. We know that this way is following the teachings of scripture. There are other godless ways to raise children, and we can see the great harm those ways are bringing to children, youth and society. This leads a parent to having to make very wise and careful decisions regarding babysitting, daycare, homeschooling, public or private education, college, trade school, etc.

Is daycare the only solution?

The Pew Research Center reports 46 percent of American families now have both parents working full time, up from 31 percent in 1970. Twenty-six percent of families have a working dad and a stay-at-home mom, down from 46 percent 45 years ago. This means 74% of families now have working moms. This shift in less parents being home with their children during daytime hours leads to another statistic. According to estimates from the National Household Education Survey, 58% of working parents with children five years old and younger, or about 6.38 million parents in the US use center-based child care options.

Statistics show more and more families have two parents working and nearly 60% of families use daycare centers. There are various reasons why people use daycares. The high cost of living is one of them, and being a single parent is another. But the use of a daycare is not always the best or wisest solution for the caring of children.

As a pastor and former banker I have sat with many families to discuss finances and the cost of daycare. It is amazing how many families were better off having a parent stay at home to care for their children versus paying for daycare. When you crunch the numbers, the cost of daycare and associated expenses, such as transportation, work clothing, an increase in income taxes, food, coffee, parking fees, etc., often outweighs the financial benefit of having two parents working. Another consideration is the impact of taking a child out of a safe, healthy and nurturing home environment and putting them into a daycare business that may not have the best of ethics and care. A daycare should be the last choice and not the first, and with much study and parental oversight.

God understands the challenges faced by parents in the care of their young children.

Weigh out your options to determine what is best for your child first, then yourself second. Pray and ask the Lord, spiritual leaders and parents for advice and guidance when making decisions regarding care and education for your child.

Some parents cannot stand being at home all day long with children and would rather work. They may even feel as though they are healthier parents by providing themselves a reprieve from all day parenting. This is understandable. Being an at home parent is the hardest job in the world, but also the most important and rewarding. The decisions made regarding the care of your children must be done with much prayer and consideration. You always want what is best for your children.

Education - As your child gets older you will need to determine how and where to educate them.

Now more than ever making the right decision as to the education of your child is more crucial than ever. Your child’s spiritual and emotional well being is greatly impacted by their schooling. Depending upon your community and your child’s temprement your options may be limited.

Sad to say public education may no longer be a viable choice for people of faith, especially in certain areas of our nation. All the work, prayer, and parenting you do at home and at church may be undone by an environment that is hostile to Biblical values, teachings and the Christian lifestyle.

Not many children can withstand a constant bombardment against their moral values and religious beliefs.

1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

In addition to having to deal with godless ideology in the public school system, students are sometimes challenged by authority combative to their faith. Immoral peer pressure is also a constant. Christian children can often feel like sheep among wolves in a place that is supposed to provide a positive learning experience. We are living in what the Bible calls terrible times and a parent must remember God gives them the responsibility to protect their children.

So what does a parent do?

Some parents are doing all they can to send their children to private religious schools. Others are joining the homeschool movement. As of February 2020, at least 9 million Americans had gone through homeschooling at least once. From 2019 to the fall of 2020, the percentage of homeschooled students changed from 3.4% to 9%.

My wife and I drove old cars, ate at home versus restaurants, and watched our expenses very closely in order to afford sending our children to Christian schools. It was worth the sacrifice and investment. Christian education certainly helped mold who my children have become as successful faith filled adults.

God knows the situation of every family regarding the care and education of their children.

Even in less desirable circumstances, with God’s help, hard work, wisdom, parental involvement and constant oversight and input, a parent can raise successful godly children. Whatever the age and or spiritual condition of your child, do not give up. Keep parenting!

Story

It was not easy going from being a Bank Vice President with a big salary and expense account to a church staff salary. Many people advised me against leaving my business career for full time ministry. But I knew it was the calling of God upon my life and family. My wife and I would have to learn to put our faith and trust in God for all our needs.

When we had our children we had to make a decision as to our income stream. Even though my wife’s job provided a second source of income for our family, it did not allow her to be at home with the kids. We prayed and decided to establish an at home daycare business. This would allow my wife to care for our children and bring in much needed income. For twelve years my wife cared for one or two other children in addition to our three. For our family this was the right decision, especially considering there were no Christian care alternatives.

Always pray for God to provide you with the best solutions for the care of your children. Do not panic, be unwise, settle for easy versus what’s best. Your child is way too important to not do your due diligence when it comes to their care and education.

BOTTOM LINE:

A child will be deeply impacted by their care and education.
Daycare is an option, but not always the only or best option.
Not many children can do well in a public school setting.
God knows your situation and will help you.

Today’s Prayer: LORD, you know I want the best for my children. Please grant me the strength, resources and wisdom to make right decisions regarding their personal care and education. Please protect my children from the false gods of this world and let them have a personal experience with you that will guide them into your plans for their lives. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen!

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