Parent-child relationships can be extremely rewarding and extraordinarily challenging. (Often, they are both at the same time!) Whether you are the parent or the child, 16-years old or 61-years young, you have to love and guide, give care and receive help, discipline wrongdoing and admit when you’re wrong.

It’s not an easy relationship to navigate, and there are no easy answers to maintaining a healthy relationship. However, the Bible does provide wise guidance about parent-child relationships. And we can take comfort that God is the perfect father who disciplines in love and promises to be with us always.

For children:

• Exodus 20:12 (GNTD)
  "Respect your father and your mother, so that you may live a long time in the land that I am giving you."
• Ephesians 6:1 (GNTD)
  "Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents, for this is the right thing to do."
• Proverbs 1:8, 9 (GNTD)
  "My child, pay attention to what your father and mother tell you. Their teaching will improve your character as a handsome turban or a necklace improves your appearance."

For parents:

• Proverbs 22:6 (GNTD)
  "Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life."
• Colossians 3:21 (GNTD)
  "Parents, do not irritate your children, or they will become discouraged."
• Ephesians 6:4 (GNTD)
  "Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry. Instead, raise them with Christian discipline and instruction."

For parents and children:

• Matthew 7:11 (GNTD)
  "As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"
• 1 Peter 4:8 (GNTD)
  "Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins."