What an interesting topic.
Recently I read the book "Don't Make Me Count to Three" by Ginger Plowman and it radically changed my thoughts on my children.
I am raising a soul. Yes, this soul is encapsulated in the body that I recognize as my child, but when that body is gone, her soul will live in one of two places. As her mother, my heart's desire is that she know Christ, however I understand that I cannot force her to accept Christ. All I can do as a mother is pray and make sure that my interactions with her are turning her towards Christ.
For example, every chance I have to correct her behaviors or attitudes I am being given a chance to turn her towards Christ. Ginger also makes a point of using Biblical terminology with children. That way, when they read the scriptures for themselves they are already familiar with the terminology.
One that you will hear us using daily in our house is "self-control" and "disobey".
I also try to answer her questions as truthfully as possible when she asks.
