Good morning! Wasn’t sleeping in with the time change so sweet this morning? (: I hope the content I’ve written below encourages you today. I’m thankful for you
The other day I was frustrated, feeling defeated as a parent.
Have you ever felt that way?
When we do feel like that, those glimmers of hope that the things we’ve taught our kids are taking root can be so encouraging.
In the car yesterday, I was gifted with one of those moments from my son, Bates.
He said that while some of them played football during recess at school, the other team started making up fake penalties.
My son’s friend told him that they should do the same thing. Bates said, “No, we shouldn’t do that because the Lord tells us not to repay.”
We had memorized that verse in 1 Peter 3 months ago. It had taken root and I had no idea.
I wasn’t on the football field. I didn’t get to see it. If he hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known.
If you’re feeling discouraged as a parent today, be encouraged that the seeds you’re sewing are taking root far deeper than you might see. ❤️
Call It Out
When you notice your kids doing something well,
Call It Out…
Bates, thanks for helping me with the dishes – I really felt loved when you did that.
Gracie, that was so cool how you helped make your sister’s bed when she didn’t even ask.
Brooklyn, that was awesome how you invited that kid sitting alone at lunch to join you and your friends. Way to love the Lord and her by doing that.
When we call it out when our kiddos love well, they’ll be more likely to do it again and will also notice first-hand what it means to love the Lord and others.
Involving Our Kids
It’s easy to get annoyed when our kids ask us a million questions about what we’re working on if we’re in the middle of something.
I love how my friend told me recently that she often involves her kids when they ask questions.
One time when they asked what she was doing, she told them she was designing a client’s house, showed them the pictures, and asked for their thoughts and ideas on certain things. I just love that.
When my kids ask what I’m doing and I say, “Nothing,” they tend to want to peek more, interrupt more, and jump in more.
Oftentimes the questions simply come because they’re curious.
But, if we actually let our kids in on what we’re doing, and take five seconds to explain things, they will often be satisfied and move on.
I can’t always do this, but when I can, I try to.
Whether it’s writing, cooking dinner, helping someone, baking, or something else, when my instinct is to say, “oh, I’m doing nothing”, I try to explain what I’m doing, sometimes ask for their ideas, and if I can, ask them to join in.
They tend to stop nagging, the million questions dissipate, they learn something, and we connect.
It’s a win, win.
Linsey Driskill 