Sunday, October 29, 2006

Change is in the Air

Fall is such a short-lived season here in the northeast. It's been very windy & cold & rainy over the last few days. In fact, tonight while I was coming home there was even a bit of snow mixed in with the rain. It's so windy that I'll be surprised if we don't loose power tonight. Although, I thought we would have lost it last night as well & we didn't. I did, however, use all the light sticks I had bought yesterday at the dollar store JUST for that purpose last night. Well, it did look pretty in here! Of course, this does mean I have none for tonight! Better dig out the batteries for the flashlights instead.

I actually didn't start writing this post, however, to talk about Maine weather. It's easy enough to do, but that's not my purpose. My purpose is the changes I plan to make with my family & myself. If any of you out there who read my blog have noticed my side bar, you may have seen a lot of parenting/child raising books listed there this month.

This isn't anything new that I have been looking in to. I didn't have black-outs over my eyes, but I did think my kids were slightly better than the average. I've finally realized they aren't. (big grin) I have children who say "no" to me on a daily basis when I ask them to do things, children who whine & scream & cry when they don't get their own way, children who dictate what we eat (or rather what they won't!). I've finally realized that enough is enough. My oldest is 10. I don't have a lot of time left with him at home & of an age where he will willingly take instruction, correction, & rebuking from me & his father.

I'm really liking Reb Bradley's book, Child Training Tips: What I wish I knew when my children were younger. He talks about not allowing children to question (constant "why") your commands. That they should obey on the first time & without question. If they begin to show they can do this, then on occasion you can answer their "why" about it. This hits home for me as I have children who do this on a constant & seemingly endless basis. It can literally make me loose it in about 30 seconds. Which also brings me to another point I just read - you should never have to yell or scream a request in order to get through to them. I seem to also do this quite a bit! (Which is why I am also enjoying Homeschooling With a Meek & Quiet Spirit).

There just seems to me a lot that can be changed right now. The time is ripe for change in our household. I have felt the Lord really working on me over the last year to make changes in my own life as well. I do not have a personal devotion time as I would like. I have felt Him calling me to get up earlier in the morning & go to bed earlier at night - to be able to spend time with my husband. I have felt the need to be a better Mother really hitting home hard lately.

So - the change is coming here at the Berry Patch. In fact, I told my three kiddos tonight that we will be having a meeting in the morning & we will be going over the new house rules & the new way I want them to behave. This will also include our new punishments for not obeying. Now I need to just pray I stay strong about it all and, more importantly, stay consistent.

Please pray for my kiddos, myself, & my hubby. It's certainly going to be an interesting time here in the next few weeks, but I know it will all be worth it at the end.

4 comments:

  1. There sure seems to be something in the air, Lisa, as this type of thing has been swirling around in my head and heart too!
    I'll be praying for you guys. Growth is always so tough, but so very worth the discomfort when you see postive results.
    Deb

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  2. Praying that God will lead you to the path that is perfect for your family and individual children.

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  3. You're such an encouragement to me! Just wanted to let you know. I'll be praying for you and your family as you work on making these changes.

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  4. I admire your willingness to see where change needs to happen and do something about it. Remember it takes at least 21 days to form a new habit! Keep hanging in there.

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Oh thank goodness! I'm not here all alone. Thanks for leaving me a comment. It helps that I'm not always talking to myself. Right? Hello?