Three and a half years after Linda and I married our first child was born – a girl we named Lindsey. Eighteen months later her sister, Kimberly, arrived.

We have only ever known raising girls; even after our granddaughter Haylee was born and we still only knew raising girls.
Then in 2004 our grandson, Braeden, was born.

Watching this youngster grow up over the years and now in our home has been a totally different experience for us.
His actions and mannerism’s, his toys and interests, and his constant eating are so different from the girls.

The Bible is full of stories about multiple children.

Cain and Abel must have been a handful and a little disappointing for Adam and Eve. They ended up losing both – one by death and the other by judgment.
James and John are referred to as the “sons of thunder”. Did that have anything to do with a raucous nature?

Probably one of my favorite stories is with the twin boys Jacob and Esau.

When the time came to give birth, Rebekah discovered that she did indeed have twins! The first one was very red at birth and covered with thick hair like a fur coat. So they named him Esau. Then the other twin was born with his hand grasping Esau’s heel. So they named him Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.
As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Gen 25:24-28

This is a divided family with each parent favoring one of the children. I have always tried to treat my girls and grandchildren the same but ultimately I am told by one or the other that I show favoritism.

Our children stopped at two and I often wonder if the problems we faced would have occurred had we had more. There always seemed to be a competition with just two, just as in the case of Jacob and Esau, competition for a parent’s affection, competition for God’s favor; even competition for food!

Raising children today is a bit different from the days of Isaac and Rebekah; and yet some things have not changed.
Here are some helpful tips to use in raising children and grandchildren.
Monitor their computer, TV, and phone use.
Encourage them to have friends over that way you can get to know who they will be hanging with.
Set a reasonable curfew and bedtime.
Give chores to do.
Give an allowance.
Encourage studying and success at school.
Discipline when it is necessary.
Spend time with them.

This is a great way to make each child a favorite.