As4Me

I was talking yesterday about how we interact with our children when they come with a request.
In the past, I’ve said “just a minute,”  usually so I can finish what I’m doing before I respond. I’m very distractible, and not just with things I want to avoid. Just this week, twice I’ve left coffee half-way [...]

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Let it never be said that my own children are not sinners, that they never have bad attitudes, and that they never embarrass me at the grocery store.
Now, I regularly take all three children grocery shopping with me. Because we do it all the time, we have a routine. I’ve learned that keeping them busy [...]

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I’ve noticed that my three ear old has developed a rather impressive poochie lip when she’s unhappy. She curls her upper lip until she nearly blocks off her nostrils, all to show mom that she is not pleased with whatever situation God has given her.
I sense the need to intervene. I could ignore the behavior, [...]

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Lee and I were discussing how the concept of marriage is sometimes difficult for young children.
Laurel, and sometimes Bethel (2 and 4) will ask a lady, “Where is your dad?” when they are looking for her husband. Occasionally we’ll ask questions about relationships. (eg., How is Uncle Bryan and Uncle Mark related to Daddy?) When [...]

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The other night came across a journal I kept right after I had Bethel, when David was 16 months old. What struck me the most was the intensity with which I wrote about teaching David spiritual truths.
In the past, I’ve shocked a few people with “low expectations,” because I tend to think smart parents overestimate [...]

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I faithfully asked my children why we pray for our food, as I mentioned in this last post.
My children looked at me blankly. “The Bible says to?” asked Bethel after a long silence.
“Very good! Can you tell me what the Bible says?”
Nope. Still teaching, still repeating, still questioning.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into [...]

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Every once in awhile I discover that I’ve held some faulty belief and it’s always a shock to have to change how I think about it.
I always assumed that young children are naturally kind toward animals. I’m sure that some probably are, but I’ve been surprised at how long it has taken for our children [...]

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Jay Younts (who wrote the book Everyday Talk) answers this question from a reader:
What advice do you have in helping a two year old to view discipline as “an adornment” and not merely as correcting bad behavior?
He gives three ways:

countenance
tone of voice
praying when we discipline, discipline that is not vengeful (or motivated primarily because [...]

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The other day we were talking about flattery in the Bible. Since the immoral woman uses flattery to ensnare simple people, I want to help my children understand this device of our enemy. I know they’re young, but I realize that even young people are succeptible to physical and moral danger through flattery; therefore, I’ve [...]

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Exaggeration is a great tool for teaching toddlers and preschoolers. Consider the challenges young children face in learning language. Time? Even my five year old has difficulty with this concept. If/then statements? my baby hears the last word and adds a “now” in order to understand them. Thus, “If you eat your peas, you can [...]

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