Had a fascinating experience on Saturday. We had company on Friday (everybody in my husband’s clinic, plus spouses and children). I tried very hard not to be too stressed but getting things done ahead of time. I’ve already noticed how my children reflect my stress, but this time I thought we all were handling it [...]
Oldest son (age 3) hates baths. More specifically, he hates getting his hair washed. More specifically, he hates getting water (not merely soap) in his eyes. This isn’t unique to bathtime. Put him outside in a small swimming pool, and he’ll cry if he gets water in his eyes. Little sister loves putting her face [...]
This is a story about making beds with a three year old. Now, during my more disciplined times (I’ve been doing well lately, thank you), I give him a corner to put in place, and then I do the rest. Then he smooths out the wrinkles and puts his pillows on the bed neatly. I [...]
Filed under: Chores
I’m feeling a little hesitant about the decisions we’ve made in childrearing. Maybe I am too lenient. Maybe I should be disciplining more. Maybe… Maybe… But then I am reminded (as also did my husband remind me)that God promises wisdom if we will seek Him. It doesn’t matter that I had a good example in [...]
Filed under: Introspection, Mom Time
We introduced Hebrews 13:5 and Psalm 56:33 as part of teaching David to learn how to deal with fear. I’d also like to teach him the song “God Is Always Near Me” by Philip Bliss as part of this “lesson.” I’ve sung it a few times for him (It’s in Hymns of Grace and Glory [...]
Filed under: Scripture Memory
If you were going to teach your young child what truth is, and what God thinks of it, would you teach the first part of Proverbs 12:22 or the second? Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. The second half of this verse David and I talked [...]
Filed under: Lying, Scripture Memory
I’ve learned that dealing with whining really depends on the developmental ability of the child. When David whines or moans to communicate, I’m suspecting a different motivation than when Bethel whines or grunts to communicate. I address his manner of communication. The difference is language ability. With Bethel, I am actually teaching her what to [...]
Filed under: Communication and Meaning, Emotions
I’ve been given advice about David and the pacifier. Apart from the peer pressure of feeling like an incompetent mother when others find out he “needs” a paci to sleep (nap and bedtime), and apart from the inconvenience of dealing with an occasionally disoriented and distressed three year old when he can’t find it in [...]
Filed under: Bedtime, Introspection
We read The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes by Kenneth Taylor at night with David. (We use and prefer the older edition because the pictures are realistic and not cartoony.) Perhaps we’re extremely ungodly parents, but we’ve not felt compelled to make Bethel (17 months) sit down through the story. Sometimes she becomes interested, [...]
Filed under: Family Devotions
Today, Bethel decided she really wanted fishy crackers before eating her sandwich. Now, in our house, our rule is that we eat the healthy stuff first, and then we eat the “junk food” (chips, crackers, and even fruit fit this category. I include fruit because they’ll fill up on fruit if I feed them fruit [...]
Filed under: Discipleship, Mealtime
