Wherever did I get the idea that children learn not to whine and scream for things within a few days or a week of dealing with it properly? I am intrigued how often I expect instant learning and 100% compliance from my children, when I still don’t always respond well when I don’t get my [...]

Filed under: Emotions

After I posted “Questions for Mentors,” I received an unexpected phone call. After chatting for several minutes and catching up on the news, my friend (who happens to be an “older woman”) asked me whether I’d be open to some advice about keeping my house clean. In light of what I’ve been meditating on, I [...]

Filed under: Uncategorized

I’ve been pondering this verse in relationship to my role as mother. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20 It’s one I tell my children often, particularly the “slow to wrath” part.  [...]

Filed under: Communication and Meaning

Well, our children haven’t had another wisdom party (i.e., unlimited candy every time they practice saying their honey verse). But I do let them say their verse and get a piece of candy one or two times each day. They have learned Proverbs 24:13-14 well that way! Usually, we followup their saying a verse to [...]

Tags: object lesson
Filed under: Wisdom

In every classroom, there’s a kid who raises his hand for every question a teacher asks. Often, other children stop asking and answering questions, because of this dynamic between the teacher and student. Hopefully, the teacher learns how to draw in every student gracefully, and the kid who likes to answer questions learns to discern [...]

Filed under: Mentoring, Uncategorized

I noticed a week or so ago a new pattern of behavior in the car. David and Bethel sit together in the back. By and large, they get along well, and they tend to resolve their conflict when they are irritated with each other. Lately, though, they’ve developed this entertainment that is basically poking each [...]

Filed under: In the Car and on the Go

Sometimes we communicate a great deal by the questions we ask. Here are some that I’ve been asking lately, and thinking about: After eating, “Are you satisfied?”  [as opposed to, "Are you full?" I want our children to know that being satisfied is better than being full. I am wondering whether filling them up is [...]

Filed under: Using Questions

My dear daughter has told me a few times lately, “When I grow up, I’m going to have different rules than you do.” That’s partly because of discussions we have had about things we do that are family rules, and things we do that are God’s rules. When they have their own household, they’ll develop [...]

Filed under: Discipleship

One of the things I’ve been working on especially with my younger two is getting on top of the complaining and whining. I have been thinking about when this happens. On Saturday night after bathtime, I realized that the thirty seconds between getting out of the bath and getting pajamas on is often marked by [...]

Filed under: Discipleship, Emotions

While I was at the stove getting dinner started yesterday, Bethel came up to me and said “I have a problem.” When I asked her what her problem was, she said “Well, all I can think about is Playmobil” I smiled. Bethel has and enjoys very much a horse stable and animal clinic that is [...]

Filed under: Discipleship