Section (5-1) of Ch.2. (The Power of a Parent’s Blessing)

How TO ESTABLISH A TIME OF FAMILY BLESSING

 Without a structured, regular time of blessing, children likely hear only words of correction and discipline from their parents. Why not create a tradition of weekly blessing for your family? The key to making this work practically is to follow the model Jewish families established and prioritize this time of blessing above all other activities you or your children may be involved in. You can start your own tradition in your home by following these three steps.

 1. Have a meal together.

 2. After the meal initiate a time of repentance and blessing. Because no one can receive blessing when he is carrying

    an  emotional wound from the one seeking to bless, I suggest you begin your blessing time by addressing offenses,

    perceived or real. I have found that if you look directly into your child's eyes you will immediately be able to discern if

    there is an offense or unhealed emotional wound. An offended person will have a hard time maintaining eye contact

    with someone who has offended him.

 

    If you discern an offense or emotional distance between you and your child, I suggest starting your time of blessing

   with repentance. If you know you have emotionally wounded or cursed the identity of one of your children during the 

   week, acknowledge the offense and ask forgiveness. Even if you were not entirely in the wrong, if there is an offense or

   wound in your child's heart and you sense emotional distance between you, seek to repair this by acknowledging the

   offense and repenting for causing hurt. Commit to bridge any emotional distance between you.

 3. Bless each family member. When all the wounds and offenses are dealt with, you can then bless each child

    individually. I suggest that you use the five key components of blessing outlined by John Trent and Gary Smalley in

    their landmark book on the topic, The Blessing Ihese components of a blessing are:
 

   * Appropriate meaningful touch
   * A spoken word
   * Attaching high value to the one being blessed 
   * Picturing a special future for the one being blessed
   * An active commitment to help fulfill the blessing