What most of us will discover when we view our child-rearing methods through an Orthodox
Patristic perspective is that we are faced with the risk of allowing the child to develop
a powerful self-will. A strong self-will, which develops very early in life in the absence
of proper parental direction, renders spiritual growth much more difficult.
What does this mean?
It means that later in life it will be very challenging— in some
instances impossible–to get the self-willed child to voluntarily be attentive during church
services, to fast, to respect parental authority, and to grow in the image and likeness of
Christ as a kind, gentle and forgiving child of God. ….
Fr. HectorFiroglanis
The words of St. Theophan the Recluse impress upon us the importance of molding
the will of a child: “The will of the parents should be imprinted upon each step–of course
in a general way. Without this, the behavior of the child can easily become corrupted.”
St. Theophan the Recluse, Raising Them Right