- From infancy teach children they have worth. Give them a task they can do and praise them for a job well done. For example, in our home, children less than a year old are putting their toys away and books back on the shelf. We sit with them and encourage them as they “work” so hard for their family to make the home tidy. We encourage with our words saying things such as, “Good job!” “You’re such a great ‘picker upper’” “Daddy is going to be so blessed by your tidiness!” “What a blessing you are!” “I’m so proud of you” “You are momma’s big helper!” and many other words of encouragement.
- When a child gets distracted we are right there to sing a song on picking up our toys or to direct them back to their task.
- We also lend a helpful hand! If we see a child struggling to carry a load of books up the stairs or difficulty in cleaning up we will quickly say, “Uh oh! Can I help you?” and we quickly rush to their aid. I also say things like, “I am so blessed to help you.”
- We are constantly observing and evaluating each child’s God given talents. When a child is strong in communication we teach them to be in charge of answering the phone, learning to take messages and give them to the appropriate person in a timely and accurate fashion. Having a child in charge of taking phone calls has given me so much time to be able to do other things for my family. When I have a child that loves nature I put them in charge of the garden including all the planning. We of course all work on the garden as a family but that member of the family makes sure we are on schedule for watering, weeding and harvesting. I think you get the idea. Look at your child’s talents and then apply them in the home. You will be blessed by how victoriously your home can operate.
NOTE: I have learned over the years that often a child’s strength appears as a weakness. That is when their talent or strength is misdirected. We will talk about how they can use that character trait for God instead of “self”. For example, a child may have a lot of energy and uses it carelessly causing chaos and disorder. We talk and start apply strategies to use that energy for the good of the home. I’ve found it only takes a little training in this area and as soon as they start to get the positive encouragement and words of appreciation they not only stop causing disorder but actually starting bringing order and victory in our home! It is a fun transformation to watch and be part of.
I better run, I have a busy day ahead!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
Oh my word - another amazing post! Are you sick of me telling you that? It's true! Keepem' coming - I am soaking it up and trying to apply it!
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Courtney
http://www.womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com
Courtney, I never grow tired of hearing from you or others! I am blessed that God has allowed our lives to cross even if only in this form online. You know you are always welcome to call or stop by! I smiled as I remembered our last phone conversation. You are a blessing!
ReplyDeleteSending you hugs from KS,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
Great post! Wish I would have had your wisdom about 13 years ago! I don't think I've done a great job in encouraging responsibility and teamwork enough with my kids, but it's never too late, is it?
ReplyDeleteFollowing you now so I can come back for more words of wisdom.... Tweeting this post, too! ;0)
I would love it if you could come to my house and train me to be the mommy God has called me to be. I know that I need Him to store this information into my being and let it all out onto my children what a blessing that would be ---I want it and need it. I have difficult days (not as often as they once were)with yelling and it breaks my heart to know what I have done to my children. With prayer and him changing me I am a better mother than I was when I first became a mother almost 7 years ago. But, I am torn....I need Him to do a complete overhaul and he wants to change me little by little... I am not patient. thank you for sharing the wisdom he has blessed you and your family. Before having children anger issues didn't come up and now that I have children anger has come out of me.... Why????
ReplyDelete