A concept that my mom spends a lot of time with in her book is teamwork. We hear of teamwork in the corporate world frequently, but it’s not common to talk of it in parenting discussions. I know that I’m more inclined to see myself as a CEO (Go clean your room) than a coach [...]
Filed under: Chores
One of the long-term goals we have in teaching our children is helping them to govern their own behavior. Taking initiative is not something we associate with very small children; it is a quality cultivated over time. A child who does not have control over his spirit is like a city whose protective walls of [...]
I discovered that sometimes you have to work on one thing and one thing only with a child. Don’t be all that surprised at me. I can be dense sometimes, although maybe I knew this and needed reminding. Call me forgetful as well as dense. I keep wondering why the kids’ bedrooms (one in particular) [...]
As my children get older, I’ve been examining the requests I make of them, particularly when I’m asking them to do something for me. Am I using my authority for my own selfishness and comfort [Will you run up the stairs and help your sister?] or because I genuinely need the help? Would I be [...]
Filed under: Chores
Beginning of my day was good, ending was good, middle was not so good. So a short post for today. Part of the problem with teaching my two daughters to work is that I’m still learning to work. Discomfort is not something that I like, and that can be a problem when there’s work to [...]
Filed under: Chores
As I drove to take the children on an outing, I realized I haven’t been talking about God throughout the day for awhile. That worried me a little, and then the introspective part of me took over. Why not, self? Are you dry spiritually? Is God not teaching you anything? Are you praying for nothing? [...]
Filed under: Chores, Using Questions
As I think about chores, I’m realizing that regardless of my actions, I need to make some changes in my attitude. The wrath of man does not work God’s righteousness. So this week and next, I’ll be working on some areas in my own life that need attention. As for my children, I could launch [...]
Filed under: Chores
Although I have successes and failures when chores are concerned, and some weeks I seem to see progress in cleanup attitudes, I have found myself frustrated a number of times lately. My responses don’t seem to be making a difference in the lives of my children, and I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong or [...]
Filed under: Chores
Bethel has been struggling with work lately. Certainly some of it is her age (four) and some of it is her personality. Since she was a baby, she’s responded to difficult tasks with screams. Although she doesn’t scream as much when she is frustrated, she retains her intensity. Now, more than simply complaining (although that’s [...]
