Our family has been very active in church since forever... Our kids have grown up in church - that's just how it is. It is not about a religion for us, it's about a relationship with Christ, loving others, serving others - but that's another whole post for another day. :)
We don't go to church so we can check off our to do list for the week. It's a part of who we are. And we are seeing the fruits of our labor with our girls. Brandon and I are very much what you see is what you get kind of people. We don't put on a show at church for everyone to see and then live completely different lives through the week, and our girls see that consistency. I have written before about building Godly character in our girls, and teaching them to love others - treat people how you would want to be treated regardless of how they treat you.
Just the other day, someone needed us to do a favor for them. It frustrated me because we were already running a little behind schedule, wasn't there someone else who could do it, we don't have time etc etc. I acted just the opposite of how I should have acted. My 13 year old said - Mom, we are blessed to be a blessing - and helping them out would be the right thing to do. Talk about being put in your place by your kid! But on the other hand, it makes me proud that she is taking a stand for what she believes in, what we are trying to teach them. There are plenty of rough days, trust me. But these little moments remind me that it's all worth it. We want our girls to be world changers, Christ followers who love Him and love others and do their part to make a difference in the world. Now, if I could get her to show God's love to her sister everyday I'd really be winning the battle!
-M
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Friday, November 15, 2013
Our Kids Will Survive
Our kids will survive if they don't get everything they want. *GASP*
What happened to hard work, respect, earning it? I feel like I've always been a pretty hard worker. If I didn't earn it, then I don't want it. I'm not talking about receiving gifts or being blessed by someone here... I am trying to teach our girls to work hard, to be responsible, to show respect. We live in an age, where everyone gets a trophy, even if you did nothing to earn it. Really? I don't get it. What is that teaching? - That you can do nothing and still reap the rewards? We are so bent on not hurting anyones feelings, or worrying that our kids will grow up to learn that life isn't fair. Well, guess what, life ISN'T fair - it's learning to navigate through that, that produces responsible, society contributing adults. I don't want things handed to my kids - I WANT them to work for it. High school will be hard, college even harder, and life the hardest. I am doing them no favors by doing it all for them. There will be disappointments, hardships, failures - but it's how you deal with those things that build character. We can't control our circumstances, but we CAN control how we respond in those circumstances.
Agree, disagree or agree to disagree - but that's my story and I'm sticking with it.
See you Soon
-M
What happened to hard work, respect, earning it? I feel like I've always been a pretty hard worker. If I didn't earn it, then I don't want it. I'm not talking about receiving gifts or being blessed by someone here... I am trying to teach our girls to work hard, to be responsible, to show respect. We live in an age, where everyone gets a trophy, even if you did nothing to earn it. Really? I don't get it. What is that teaching? - That you can do nothing and still reap the rewards? We are so bent on not hurting anyones feelings, or worrying that our kids will grow up to learn that life isn't fair. Well, guess what, life ISN'T fair - it's learning to navigate through that, that produces responsible, society contributing adults. I don't want things handed to my kids - I WANT them to work for it. High school will be hard, college even harder, and life the hardest. I am doing them no favors by doing it all for them. There will be disappointments, hardships, failures - but it's how you deal with those things that build character. We can't control our circumstances, but we CAN control how we respond in those circumstances.
Agree, disagree or agree to disagree - but that's my story and I'm sticking with it.
See you Soon
-M
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Kids And Chores
Let's talk about chores for a second shall we? It sometimes can feel like a constant struggle to get kids to do their chores. I think chores are an important part of a child's development and their ability to be able to take care of themselves when they leave the nest. You should be training your kids for their future - their future when you are not around to pick up their things and wash their laundry. If we as parents don't teach our kids the basics, who will??
Our kids have been doing "chores" basically since they could walk. When they were really little, it was simple things like helping to put their toys in a toy box and helping me do things that they thought was fun. When our girls were little they loved to do the "grown up" stuff like dust and vacuum. Was I making my kids dust the house when they were 2? Well, no.. but they did like to help me, and watch me do that stuff. When they ask me why I do things, sometimes it's easier just to say something like, "because that's how I like it". But I've come to realize that if I actually explain to them why I clean or do something a certain way that can be a valuable teaching moment.
Our daughters (age 11& 8) both have daily chores that they do. Sometimes they complain, but for the most part they are starting to understand that one day, mom and dad won't be around everyday and this is important stuff that they need to learn how to do. And if they don't do it right, they have to do it again. :)
Our kids daily (Mon-Fri) chore list is below...
Homework and a snack are the first things to get done
Put any papers that I need to sign or look at from school on my desk so I see them
-just a side note on this one - I do not go through their folders and look for papers I might need to sign. We have taught our kids to take responsibility for your school work. If there is something they did not give me, then it is up to them to explain to their teacher why it did not get signed. And this is something that the school helps to enforce, which I like. Our youngest is in 3rd grade, and the teacher tells them the same thing. They are learning to take responsibility for their things at school, so it makes my job easier at home too.
Take the dogs outside
Sweep the floors
Vacuum the floors (we have a small house, so it really doesn't take that long)
Unload the dishwasher
Load the dishwasher
Clean the counters in the kitchen
Pick up their bedrooms
Feed and water the dogs
Pack your school lunch for the next day
On Saturdays they are responsible for getting their dirty laundry to the laundry room to be washed. I still wash their laundry, but when it comes out of the dryer, it is their job to get it all put away. If they don't get their laundry to the wash - then they don't get clean laundry. I do not go through their rooms and collect dirty clothes. They are old enough to be responsible for their dirty clothes. Some of this may sound a little rough, but Brandon and I both believe that we should be training our kids to eventually leave. Are we counting down the days to when they leave us? Of course not, but we do want them to be responsible adults that can take care of themselves and their families and contribute something to the world they live in.
If you don't have a chore list for your kids, I highly recommend it. Even if you have small children. When they are small, is the best time to start because they think it's fun and they are getting to do something that normally Mom only does. There are so many cute chore list ideas out there too. Make it fun. And don't feel like you have to give your kids an allowance if you are going to have them do chores everyday. But if you do give them a regular allowance turn that into a learning experience as well. How much will they save? How much can they spend?
Take the opportunities as they come and use them to teach your kids... They will be better adults for it.
I would love to see some of your cute chore lists if you have any...
I will have a bedroom makeover post #2 coming shortly. I have the materials I need to make my headboard and a few other things. Now, it's just a matter of finding the time to get them done. :)
Have a great Monday everyone!
Our kids have been doing "chores" basically since they could walk. When they were really little, it was simple things like helping to put their toys in a toy box and helping me do things that they thought was fun. When our girls were little they loved to do the "grown up" stuff like dust and vacuum. Was I making my kids dust the house when they were 2? Well, no.. but they did like to help me, and watch me do that stuff. When they ask me why I do things, sometimes it's easier just to say something like, "because that's how I like it". But I've come to realize that if I actually explain to them why I clean or do something a certain way that can be a valuable teaching moment.
Our daughters (age 11& 8) both have daily chores that they do. Sometimes they complain, but for the most part they are starting to understand that one day, mom and dad won't be around everyday and this is important stuff that they need to learn how to do. And if they don't do it right, they have to do it again. :)
Our kids daily (Mon-Fri) chore list is below...
Homework and a snack are the first things to get done
Put any papers that I need to sign or look at from school on my desk so I see them
-just a side note on this one - I do not go through their folders and look for papers I might need to sign. We have taught our kids to take responsibility for your school work. If there is something they did not give me, then it is up to them to explain to their teacher why it did not get signed. And this is something that the school helps to enforce, which I like. Our youngest is in 3rd grade, and the teacher tells them the same thing. They are learning to take responsibility for their things at school, so it makes my job easier at home too.
Take the dogs outside
Sweep the floors
Vacuum the floors (we have a small house, so it really doesn't take that long)
Unload the dishwasher
Load the dishwasher
Clean the counters in the kitchen
Pick up their bedrooms
Feed and water the dogs
Pack your school lunch for the next day
On Saturdays they are responsible for getting their dirty laundry to the laundry room to be washed. I still wash their laundry, but when it comes out of the dryer, it is their job to get it all put away. If they don't get their laundry to the wash - then they don't get clean laundry. I do not go through their rooms and collect dirty clothes. They are old enough to be responsible for their dirty clothes. Some of this may sound a little rough, but Brandon and I both believe that we should be training our kids to eventually leave. Are we counting down the days to when they leave us? Of course not, but we do want them to be responsible adults that can take care of themselves and their families and contribute something to the world they live in.
If you don't have a chore list for your kids, I highly recommend it. Even if you have small children. When they are small, is the best time to start because they think it's fun and they are getting to do something that normally Mom only does. There are so many cute chore list ideas out there too. Make it fun. And don't feel like you have to give your kids an allowance if you are going to have them do chores everyday. But if you do give them a regular allowance turn that into a learning experience as well. How much will they save? How much can they spend?
Take the opportunities as they come and use them to teach your kids... They will be better adults for it.
I would love to see some of your cute chore lists if you have any...
I will have a bedroom makeover post #2 coming shortly. I have the materials I need to make my headboard and a few other things. Now, it's just a matter of finding the time to get them done. :)
Have a great Monday everyone!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Can We Really Be There Already?
So my 8 year old, Rylie says she has something to tell me yesterday when they came home from school. She informs me that there is this little boy in another third grade class that is always staring at her and smiling at her. Well apparently yesterday he asked her if she wanted to "go out". Does an 8 yr old even know what that means?? So I asked her what she said to Carsyn. Her response was, well I ran away and said no because I like Cooper and Hunter, and I want to call Hunter a cutie pie. Really?? Are we there already with her? I knew this would happen faster with her than with my 11 yr. old. Rylie has always been the more outgoing one. We've never really had a boy talk with Rylie... I mean we've done the whole never talk to strangers talk, don't be a bully talk, behave in class talk, obey your teacher talk, but never a -when you can "go out" with boys talk.
Of course she thought the whole thing was hilarious, and at first thought you kind of go, oh that's cute. But I don't want my kid to be the one that's kissing boys behind the gym in third grade. So I guess it's time for a serious boy talk...
Of course she thought the whole thing was hilarious, and at first thought you kind of go, oh that's cute. But I don't want my kid to be the one that's kissing boys behind the gym in third grade. So I guess it's time for a serious boy talk...
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