Reality is . . .
That I feel like counting my woes . . .
Though I reconsider because God’s ways are so much higher than mine . . . . His thoughts so much deeper . . . and He has a plan and purpose for each “woe” that He allows my way.
But I am having a ‘wake-up-call” on how my children respond to my directions . . . . I was challenged by this “Our expectations are the same for all of our children. They are expected to obey the first time, every time, and with a cheerful attitude. (Yes, we discipline if they roll their eyes or sigh even if they did the task that was requested. Sin is sin ~ whether it’s external or internal.)” by A Patchwork of Blessed Moments on her post Discipline. (Thanks, Sharon, for the link to her blog!) I thought I had a big enough job and that they were getting enough discipline just for obeying . . . now to focus on obeying to the FULL extent! (This is JUST one aspect for feeling overwhelmed.)
So admist my trials . . . I am to “count it all joy” . . . and so I do so in tears . . .
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Sometimes though our “nights” are long . . . and so here I go again . . . in circles. Feeling despairing, yet putting forth my feeble weak efforts to rejoice . . .
March 14th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I know it’s dangerous to dispense un-asked-for advice, but here’s my two bits that you can take or leave: One of my regrets from when my children were small is that I tried to fight every battle on every front every day–obedience, potty training, manners, attitudes, and don’t pull the books off the shelf. Now I realize there was much more grace available than I recognized and some things could have waited until I had some bigger issues under control. If you are feeling overwhelmed with teaching obedience/good attitudes, are there smaller issues that you can let go until next month? Or can you take a week to focus on one child at a time? I am not saying you kick back and read a novel and ignore everything…I just know that when Mom is too tired to function, almost all the battles are lost anyway.
Much grace to you.
March 14th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
I somewhat understand your woes, Aimee. Since my daycare time has been a couple years back, I’ve had a break from training, and in a way, it seems that I’m having to start all over, which I am, since I’m beginning my own family now. Kaylie is showing more of her own personality all the time, and I’m more and more aware that my days are filling up with more training than simply just watching ‘baby’. I probably am firmer than some on responding quickly with discipline when others wouldn’t be phased by certain actions, but I well remember how my daycare children respected me, and how important consistancy is….now if I can just uphold my ’standards’ with my own children, like I did with my daycare children. It’s easy to stay on top when you have 4/5 other children looking on to see how you respond…when you’re at home by yourself with only a younger baby looking on….you’re a little more lax, probably. ?
Best wishes on your training!
March 14th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Dorcas, thanks for taking the risk! I’ll try to keep that in mind . . . I’ve sorta given up on school for awhile, I just needed a break from that.
Yeah, Lez, I’ve come to appreciate the days before the training time comes when one can just soak up baby love!
March 15th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
I don’t really have any advice, but I think Dorcas has a good point. We’ve been going through the book-Sheparding a Child’s heart and it has really made us stop and think. some days I don’t get school done either. Keeping their heart and training it to love God is more important. Plus, with extra training/discipline, should be lots and lots more praise and affirmation, esp. for character, so that all takes time!
March 15th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
No advice here either, I’m experiencing the same reality too often! I do agree with what Cretora said about praise and affirmation–I find it helps MY attitudes when I focus on something that they ARE doing right when I’m doing extra discipline. You’re welcome for the link. That post was a definite challenge to me, too. Also, in Amy’s Humble Musings she posted about “taking a break” from the normal schedule when extra discipline is needed. She had some great insights, I thought.
Anyway, my motto is “be flexible and don’t cry over spilled milk!”