I was talking with a friend last week who homeschools her 3 children. We were talking about the great benifits of homeschooling and CHARACTER. As we were talking, she said that last year she took two whole weeks off of school to regroup and focus on character issues. Things had kind of spun out of control. That got me to thinking...
You see, we started on June 11th with this school year and we are just plain tired! We have finished 77 days of school so far and we have to have 180. We are almost to the halfway point. I had been wondering how in the world could we focus on some of the character issues we have been dealing with lately. It never crossed my mind to take some time off. BUT WHY NOT? Duh!
Over the weekend I was thinking about how we could really target some of the issues we were dealing with in our children. I had signed up for the CTB (Child Training Bible, link on my sidebar) facebook study that last for 21 weeks. I had not looked much into it, I just wanted to see how they were going to study the tabs, etc. So Sunday as I began to jot down a tentative plan for our school week (this is so out of character for me because I feel like I HAVE to stick to the curriculum and Lesson plan (very detailed might I add): I was once a school teacher if that explains anything! LOL) and as I did, God kind of used the CTB Bible study to give me direction. I have decided to study one tab a week as the study suggested: me first then share it with my children as the Lord leads. It is amazing at the things I am LEARNING about ME before I deal with my children. I didn't want to just STOP school and work on character as if it were isolated from our normal life. So, as I planned, I decided that we would do a review week with any trouble areas she seemed to have. We have played so many games this week. We have played store so much! I am having so much fun PLAYING! My child can combine her coins like you wouldn't believe and last week it was a struggle. Why didn't I do this last week? Not sure, but one thing I do know: more games will be a part of our homeschool day! I have officially decided that Friday is now game day. We will play games to review all that she learned during the week. I am not quite sure why I have not done this before, I did when I taught school. So glad God has revealed so much this week, in more ways than one!
Starting next week, I will be posting at least one time a week about the issue we are studying, if not more. It depends on the issue and how much God reveals to us.
One thing I want to leave you with, if we are seeing things that our children are doing that we dislike, we better look at ourself first. Disciplining our children starts with US!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Self Examination
How many of us take the time to look in the mirror and truely examine ourselves? I have been challenged in the last few weeks to really take a look at myself as a parent. We are so often "pointing the finger" at our children for their misbehavior, but rarely turn that finger on ourselves.
How is that?
It is so much easier for us to deal with the misbehavior and attitudes of our children than our own. It is important to look at ourselves through the mirror of God's Word. Our standard is Scripture, not the world or people around us. The Word of God is The Authority in our lives. Our lives need to line up with the Word of God.
None of us are perfect and we must rely on the Father to lead and guide us. We all have weaknesses and we must rely on the Father so that we can grow towards maturity as believers and parents.
I challnege you today, look at yourself. Are you setting a good example for your children in the way you talk to them, talk to others, spend your time, deal with anger, impatience, etc. It is never to late to call on God for help.
"When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies." Psalm 119:59, ESV)
I
How is that?
It is so much easier for us to deal with the misbehavior and attitudes of our children than our own. It is important to look at ourselves through the mirror of God's Word. Our standard is Scripture, not the world or people around us. The Word of God is The Authority in our lives. Our lives need to line up with the Word of God.
None of us are perfect and we must rely on the Father to lead and guide us. We all have weaknesses and we must rely on the Father so that we can grow towards maturity as believers and parents.
I challnege you today, look at yourself. Are you setting a good example for your children in the way you talk to them, talk to others, spend your time, deal with anger, impatience, etc. It is never to late to call on God for help.
"When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies." Psalm 119:59, ESV)
I
Friday, September 28, 2012
Already Gone: part 5
What can I do to see that my children remain in church?
Number Four:
The next thing I am going to share is in no way trying to get you to change what you allow and do not allow in your home. This is a PERSONAL choice and conviction. And...if you do this I do not judge you! If I am in your house, I respect your convictions and what you feel is best for your family. You have to allow God to speak to you. I am only sharing this as an example of how God directs. He may lead your family to do something that He would not lead me to do. So, here goes...
We made a personal choice to limit tv for our children. The main reason (at first) was because I did a research paper in college on the effects of television and children. The research I gathered made me realize that my children would watch little television because of it's negative effects (and I was single with no kids at the time).
Then, when I had children, as time went on and we started to allow some television, I was disapointed in what I saw in the children's programs. I did not see many things that exalted God. I was concerned because I was teaching her about Jesus and I felt that some of the things that I watch on the shows contradicted what I was reading and telling her (as a baby even). I am referring more to Anna Grace since she is older and we did the same with Noah.
So, as we began to allow her tv time, I would buy DVDs at Lifeway. We also had a channel on our satelite at the time that was a christian kids network and it had some really cool shows. They were a little dated and "different" BUT one show really modeled the children praying and LOVING JESUS! She would watch that almost everyday. It was not long before she started praying and imitating what the children were doing and she was barely 2. I felt that if I allowed her to watch other things (not all bad), she would imitate that. What did I want my children to imitate and later develop in her own life? Prayer, a love for Jesus, etc. So, we stuck with the outdated shows. Sadly, we do not have that programming now. Noah has not been able to watch it, but he has a big sister who models it before him now. :)
This lead to our next decision. Number one, because my child did not watch most of the television show other kids watch, she did not know the characters other kids typically talk about and know. When we were in stores, they didn't really mean much to her. So, I decided to not buy character stuff (we have a few things). I did not want my children to be overly crazy about one character and want everything of that charcacter. I wanted them to have their hearts set on Jesus and make Him number one, not a character.
Don't get me wrong, I know this may sound crazy, but we followed God. It has been hard at times when other kids have things and Anna Grace doesn't even know who it is or what they are talking about. Hard for me, probably not her. Like one time, we were at the doctor's office and they wanted to know Anna Grace's favorite princess. She did not know what to say, then she said Gigi, God's little princess. If you don't know, it's a series at the christian bookstore. They ladies just had funny looks on their face. I had to explain who that was. I would have probably had a funny look on my face too. LOL
I didn't question God on these decisions, I just walked in faith. I look back and I am glad that I followed God because now my child wants every NEW Bible that hits the shelves. She has probably 10 Bibles or more. She buys them when she gets money, ask for them for gifts, etc. How do you deny a child a Bible? Oh, and devotion books. She reads them too, she doesn't just get them to get them.
I want my children to know God and make Him known. Can I be certain that they will follow the ways of God? No! But I am going to train them and pray that God will continually draw them to Him. I pray they will have a heart for Him and share Him with each and every person they come in contact with.
If you have read my posts in this little series, please know that we have made some different type decisions. You may agree or disagree. That is ok. I just pray that through the things that God laid upon our hearts as Anna Grace and Noah's parents, that God would reveal to you what He desires you do. Follow the Fathers voice, no matter how hard it may be. You will be glad you did!
Number Four:
The next thing I am going to share is in no way trying to get you to change what you allow and do not allow in your home. This is a PERSONAL choice and conviction. And...if you do this I do not judge you! If I am in your house, I respect your convictions and what you feel is best for your family. You have to allow God to speak to you. I am only sharing this as an example of how God directs. He may lead your family to do something that He would not lead me to do. So, here goes...
We made a personal choice to limit tv for our children. The main reason (at first) was because I did a research paper in college on the effects of television and children. The research I gathered made me realize that my children would watch little television because of it's negative effects (and I was single with no kids at the time).
Then, when I had children, as time went on and we started to allow some television, I was disapointed in what I saw in the children's programs. I did not see many things that exalted God. I was concerned because I was teaching her about Jesus and I felt that some of the things that I watch on the shows contradicted what I was reading and telling her (as a baby even). I am referring more to Anna Grace since she is older and we did the same with Noah.
So, as we began to allow her tv time, I would buy DVDs at Lifeway. We also had a channel on our satelite at the time that was a christian kids network and it had some really cool shows. They were a little dated and "different" BUT one show really modeled the children praying and LOVING JESUS! She would watch that almost everyday. It was not long before she started praying and imitating what the children were doing and she was barely 2. I felt that if I allowed her to watch other things (not all bad), she would imitate that. What did I want my children to imitate and later develop in her own life? Prayer, a love for Jesus, etc. So, we stuck with the outdated shows. Sadly, we do not have that programming now. Noah has not been able to watch it, but he has a big sister who models it before him now. :)
This lead to our next decision. Number one, because my child did not watch most of the television show other kids watch, she did not know the characters other kids typically talk about and know. When we were in stores, they didn't really mean much to her. So, I decided to not buy character stuff (we have a few things). I did not want my children to be overly crazy about one character and want everything of that charcacter. I wanted them to have their hearts set on Jesus and make Him number one, not a character.
Don't get me wrong, I know this may sound crazy, but we followed God. It has been hard at times when other kids have things and Anna Grace doesn't even know who it is or what they are talking about. Hard for me, probably not her. Like one time, we were at the doctor's office and they wanted to know Anna Grace's favorite princess. She did not know what to say, then she said Gigi, God's little princess. If you don't know, it's a series at the christian bookstore. They ladies just had funny looks on their face. I had to explain who that was. I would have probably had a funny look on my face too. LOL
I didn't question God on these decisions, I just walked in faith. I look back and I am glad that I followed God because now my child wants every NEW Bible that hits the shelves. She has probably 10 Bibles or more. She buys them when she gets money, ask for them for gifts, etc. How do you deny a child a Bible? Oh, and devotion books. She reads them too, she doesn't just get them to get them.
I want my children to know God and make Him known. Can I be certain that they will follow the ways of God? No! But I am going to train them and pray that God will continually draw them to Him. I pray they will have a heart for Him and share Him with each and every person they come in contact with.
If you have read my posts in this little series, please know that we have made some different type decisions. You may agree or disagree. That is ok. I just pray that through the things that God laid upon our hearts as Anna Grace and Noah's parents, that God would reveal to you what He desires you do. Follow the Fathers voice, no matter how hard it may be. You will be glad you did!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Already Gone: part 4
What can I do to see that my children remain in church?
Number Three:
It is important to have a famiy vision statement. When you think of your children 5, 10, 20 years from now, what do you envision them doing? I am not talking about picking out their jobs for them. :)
What kind of character qualities do you desire to see flowing from their heart? Are they qualities you would be proud of or ashamed of? More than that, are they qualities that would exalt Christ?
My desire is to see my children in love with Jesus and boldly proclaiming His Name above any other! When Jesus is their focus: they will love others, serve others, be people of character. Other than that, I do not care what type of house they live in, what their specific job is. If they are following God with their whole heart in obedience, the things of this world will hold little value.
Don't get me wrong, I want nice things for my children, but the things of God will not fade away. The things of this world do fade away and do not have eternal value.
Some of the things our children become are in our hands. (I understand they have free will.) What do we expose them to, model before them, etc? What are we intentional about teaching them?
Are we as intentional about teaching them how to have a quite time as we are other things?
To me, this is the best thing we can do for our children.
Side note: If you are a homeschooling family, this can be added into your school day.
Choose a passage, get your child to read it from a Bible on their level. You write a few questions (or use The Dig), get them to answer the questions. You can guide them into how to write a sentence. Obviously using age/grade appropriate instruction here. Get them to write it. It's ok if you have to write the sentence on the board of a piece of paper for them to copy. They are still learning how to write a sentence and they are practicing their handwriting.
What is a vision statement?
A vision statement is simply knowing where you want to go.
What is important to you?
How will you get there? What do I need to say yes to and what do I say no to?
Take action! Lot's of ACTION!
What types of influences do we allow and not allow (this could be all kinds of things, not just people).
If we do not write the vision, we can lose the vision when things get tough. It will require time and effort to get there. It doesn't happen on it's own.
It is important when writing the vision statement, that we do not outline the life WE want for our children. The vision needs to be direct, but allows for your children to be who God created them to be. The vision keeps us parents in line and draws boundaries where necessary. Our children need our guidance!
God entrusted us with the gift of children. Now He will lead us through this awesome journey!
I just read a quote that said, "You can not choose Christ for your kids, but you can pray that they do!" So true! But I also, want to be purposeful in training them and praying they have a desire to live for Him!
Number Three:
It is important to have a famiy vision statement. When you think of your children 5, 10, 20 years from now, what do you envision them doing? I am not talking about picking out their jobs for them. :)
What kind of character qualities do you desire to see flowing from their heart? Are they qualities you would be proud of or ashamed of? More than that, are they qualities that would exalt Christ?
My desire is to see my children in love with Jesus and boldly proclaiming His Name above any other! When Jesus is their focus: they will love others, serve others, be people of character. Other than that, I do not care what type of house they live in, what their specific job is. If they are following God with their whole heart in obedience, the things of this world will hold little value.
Don't get me wrong, I want nice things for my children, but the things of God will not fade away. The things of this world do fade away and do not have eternal value.
Some of the things our children become are in our hands. (I understand they have free will.) What do we expose them to, model before them, etc? What are we intentional about teaching them?
Are we as intentional about teaching them how to have a quite time as we are other things?
To me, this is the best thing we can do for our children.
Side note: If you are a homeschooling family, this can be added into your school day.
Choose a passage, get your child to read it from a Bible on their level. You write a few questions (or use The Dig), get them to answer the questions. You can guide them into how to write a sentence. Obviously using age/grade appropriate instruction here. Get them to write it. It's ok if you have to write the sentence on the board of a piece of paper for them to copy. They are still learning how to write a sentence and they are practicing their handwriting.
What is a vision statement?
A vision statement is simply knowing where you want to go.
What is important to you?
How will you get there? What do I need to say yes to and what do I say no to?
Take action! Lot's of ACTION!
What types of influences do we allow and not allow (this could be all kinds of things, not just people).
If we do not write the vision, we can lose the vision when things get tough. It will require time and effort to get there. It doesn't happen on it's own.
It is important when writing the vision statement, that we do not outline the life WE want for our children. The vision needs to be direct, but allows for your children to be who God created them to be. The vision keeps us parents in line and draws boundaries where necessary. Our children need our guidance!
God entrusted us with the gift of children. Now He will lead us through this awesome journey!
I just read a quote that said, "You can not choose Christ for your kids, but you can pray that they do!" So true! But I also, want to be purposeful in training them and praying they have a desire to live for Him!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Already Gone: part 3
What can I do to see that my children remain in church?
Number Two:
I think it is important to help our children establish their belief system.
What do you believe and why do you believe it?
It is NOT too early to teach our children these things. When we build the foundation of our faith upon the Word of God and our roots grow deep in Him, we cannot be shaken when faced with contradictory information. More than Bible stories need to be taught. How does this apply to me TODAY? If we do not help a child to relate it, they will just see it as another "story." Adam and Eve is more than just a story for kids to know! What does that mean in relation to our faith, the life we are living right now?
It is our job as parents to train and equip our children. What are we training and equiping them for? It is so important that Jesus is at the center of it all.
This will not take place over night. It will take time, but it is time well spent. The Dig for kids that I posted about yesterday is a good way to begin that training.
Click here to visit The Dig for Kids.
Another good resource to help cultivate their hearts through discipline is the Child Training Bible. This takes time, but it is well worth it!
If you are struggling with where to start, message me and I will help you. Seek God and allow Him to direct you. He will guide us through this journey of parenthood!
Number Two:
I think it is important to help our children establish their belief system.
What do you believe and why do you believe it?
It is NOT too early to teach our children these things. When we build the foundation of our faith upon the Word of God and our roots grow deep in Him, we cannot be shaken when faced with contradictory information. More than Bible stories need to be taught. How does this apply to me TODAY? If we do not help a child to relate it, they will just see it as another "story." Adam and Eve is more than just a story for kids to know! What does that mean in relation to our faith, the life we are living right now?
It is our job as parents to train and equip our children. What are we training and equiping them for? It is so important that Jesus is at the center of it all.
This will not take place over night. It will take time, but it is time well spent. The Dig for kids that I posted about yesterday is a good way to begin that training.
Click here to visit The Dig for Kids.
Another good resource to help cultivate their hearts through discipline is the Child Training Bible. This takes time, but it is well worth it!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
The Dig for Kids
If you are looking for a way to get your kids in the Word and train them on how to have a quite time, this looks really cool. I have not personally used it, but I looked at their website and I LOVE IT! There's a sample lesson on their website, so check it out! I will be purchasing this!
Click here to visit The Dig for Kids.Already Gone: part 2
What can I do to see that my children remain in church?
First of all, I want to make the point that I do not think that going to church makes you a christian. I do think that if you are a christian you should desire to fellowship with other believers. It is only through the cross that we are redeemed!
Number One:
I have to expose them to the things of God. This is more than taking them to church at the designated times. I have to model it before them, live it out.
But how do I do that?
I have to be in the Word of God allowing Him to change me and mold me into who He wants me to be. I have to read them the Word. I feel that it is something that starts from the day they are born. I am a detail person that feels there has to be meaning in everything (our kid's names have meaning: another post on that). So before we had Anna Grace we really discussed A LOT of things in how we desired to raise our family, etc. I would read my Bible out loud because they say babies can hear you talking to them in the womb. I bought a short devotion book and would read her a devotion at night. During the day, I would continue to read the Bible out loud. I have done the same with Noah. Now as I do my devotions and Bible reading, I will read out loud if they are playing around me. The Word is powerful and active and if I am reading it to myself, they do not get the benefits of the Word. I feel that I should model spending time with Jesus before them. With time, we grow into more. Anna Grace just finished reading through the book of Philippians and is now on Ephesians. We read it, talk it about and apply it. This does not count the countless other things we do. I am a children's minister! LOL. We are reading the Bible through in a year as well. We read that in the morning. So far we are doing great, we are only a few weeks behind. Yah!
Anna Grace started talking earlier than Noah. They are both very different. By the time she was 2 1/2 she knew the Lord's prayer, Psalm 23, the 10 Commandments. We also memorized various other Scriptures. We work on Scripture with Noah, but he is not SAYING it as fast. I know that it is deep in his spirit man, but he's not saying it like she did. He says some verses for us, but we still can not understand what he's saying all of the time. He's getting there. I do know that it makes a difference because he is constantly preaching and having church. I hear him a lot singing "I want You, Jesus." That make me so happy as a mother. I can not think of a song that we sing that has that in it, but he must have made up his own song. We can actually understand that.
We have to model in OUR behaviors and attitudes. We have to be sure that we are TALKING about things that glorify God. They hear and see it all. This is both good and bad!
Our kids are normal kids no matter how much of the Bible we read to them. They struggle with the same things that everyone else struggles with. For that reason, we choose to correct our children by leading them to the Word of God. A great resource for that is the Child's Training Bible.
www.childtrainingbible.com
So, tell me what you think. What are some ways you have included the Word of God in your child's life?
Today I am linking up with Good Morning Girls.
First of all, I want to make the point that I do not think that going to church makes you a christian. I do think that if you are a christian you should desire to fellowship with other believers. It is only through the cross that we are redeemed!
Number One:
I have to expose them to the things of God. This is more than taking them to church at the designated times. I have to model it before them, live it out.
But how do I do that?
I have to be in the Word of God allowing Him to change me and mold me into who He wants me to be. I have to read them the Word. I feel that it is something that starts from the day they are born. I am a detail person that feels there has to be meaning in everything (our kid's names have meaning: another post on that). So before we had Anna Grace we really discussed A LOT of things in how we desired to raise our family, etc. I would read my Bible out loud because they say babies can hear you talking to them in the womb. I bought a short devotion book and would read her a devotion at night. During the day, I would continue to read the Bible out loud. I have done the same with Noah. Now as I do my devotions and Bible reading, I will read out loud if they are playing around me. The Word is powerful and active and if I am reading it to myself, they do not get the benefits of the Word. I feel that I should model spending time with Jesus before them. With time, we grow into more. Anna Grace just finished reading through the book of Philippians and is now on Ephesians. We read it, talk it about and apply it. This does not count the countless other things we do. I am a children's minister! LOL. We are reading the Bible through in a year as well. We read that in the morning. So far we are doing great, we are only a few weeks behind. Yah! 
Anna Grace started talking earlier than Noah. They are both very different. By the time she was 2 1/2 she knew the Lord's prayer, Psalm 23, the 10 Commandments. We also memorized various other Scriptures. We work on Scripture with Noah, but he is not SAYING it as fast. I know that it is deep in his spirit man, but he's not saying it like she did. He says some verses for us, but we still can not understand what he's saying all of the time. He's getting there. I do know that it makes a difference because he is constantly preaching and having church. I hear him a lot singing "I want You, Jesus." That make me so happy as a mother. I can not think of a song that we sing that has that in it, but he must have made up his own song. We can actually understand that. We have to model in OUR behaviors and attitudes. We have to be sure that we are TALKING about things that glorify God. They hear and see it all. This is both good and bad!
Our kids are normal kids no matter how much of the Bible we read to them. They struggle with the same things that everyone else struggles with. For that reason, we choose to correct our children by leading them to the Word of God. A great resource for that is the Child's Training Bible.
www.childtrainingbible.com
So, tell me what you think. What are some ways you have included the Word of God in your child's life?
Today I am linking up with Good Morning Girls.
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