Author: Linsey Driskill

Hi! I've been married more than 15 years, have triplets, and love encouraging families in following Jesus and his words: to love God and love others. I love spontaneity, simplicity, and authenticity. You can find me on Facebook and Instagram Page @BeautifulHeartedParenting and at LinseyDriskill.com.

How to be on our Kids’ Team when Disciplining, and not Against them

Linsey Driskill

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Kindness illuminates from my daughter, but lately I’ve noticed her telling subtle lies about minute things. For example, I asked if she washed her hands before snack and she said yes, when she hadn’t. Of all things to lie about, it seemed so silly, but it was still a lie.

I know how quickly a tiny molehill can transform into an enormous mountain, so I gave my daughter a few consequences. After being sent to her room and missing a video, she wasn’t affected. She came downstairs eagerly anticipating the ice cream sundae she had planned on having for days. The way to this child’s heart is through food so when I broke the news that she wouldn’t have it, she was crushed and stomped upstairs. I knew I had finally picked the right consequence! I told my daughter to come down when she was ready.

Later when she crept downstairs with tear-swollen eyes, I empathized. I remember author and counselor John Townsend saying that it’s important we empathize with our children so their choice at the time becomes the bad guy and not us, so I did just that.

I told my daughter I was sad for her that she couldn’t enjoy her ice cream because of the choice she made. I didn’t rub it in, but I let her know I had been really excited for her to get that. But that I knew she would be telling the truth in the small and big things for now on, and would probably earn her ice cream another day.

At first my daughter was angry when I shared the consequence, but when I expressed empathy, her defenses softened. When I rubbed her back and said, “This stinks, but I know you’ll make a better choice next time,” she softened up, and curled into my arms with sadness instead of anger. Even though this was a tiny moment, I got to walk through it with her, on her side. I felt even closer to my daughter after that entire escapade, and two weeks later, she has been focused on telling the truth in the big and small things.

As we make the choice the issue, not us, and genuinely empathize, their anger will diffuse and our connection will deepen. Our children will realize that they are responsible for their own choices and can’t blame them on anyone else.

I know we will all continue to have battles, low points, and triumphs, but if we stay on our children’s team, mourning alongside them during their disappointments and celebrating their successes, our relationships will strengthen and reach new heights.

 

Simple way to Keep our Kids’ Artwork!

Linsey Driskill

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Through this simple way, show your kids they matter. They are valued. They are cherished…

  1. Take pictures of your kids’ artwork with your phone.
  2. Make an album through a place like Shutterfly only of your child’s artwork.
  3. Watch their faces glow as they enjoy their art creations and soak in the feeling of being cherished.

 

Ring & Run: A Creative Way to Love Your Friends!

Linsey Driskill

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This is a fun way to love your friends!

1. Make cookies or a goody bag for a family. Include a note with reasons their family is awesome.

2. Dress up in disguise with your kids so your giving can be “in secret” and to add to the fun!

3. Sneak up to your friends’ door, leave the bag, ring the doorbell and run! (:

Comment to share some of your fun ideas to love your friends!

 

Raising Influencers

Linsey Driskill

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The Pritchards wrote the wonderful book, “Going Public: Your Child can Thrive in Public School”. In raising kids, one of the inevitable questions many of us ask is: “In what educational setting will my child thrive?” Every family has to decide whether public, private or homeschool is best for their family. But regardless of our decisions, I love this quote because it inspires all of us to raise influencers wherever our kids are in school.
Lord, in the midst of negative influences, help us not to become overwhelmed and anxious, but to be encouraged to raise INFLUENCERS. Make our children strong to stand above peer pressure. We know that none of us will do a perfect job raising our kids, so thank you for your grace to make up for our weaknesses. Help us take the time to teach our kids how to love you with all their heart and love others well. Guard our children’s steps, make them strong, guide them with your wisdom, and pour your confidence and love into them so that Jesus, you, will shine through them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Three Ideas on Memorial Day…

Linsey Driskill
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Three practical ways to show gratefulness for the men and women who gave their very lives for our freedom:
1. Pray with your children for families who lost loved ones serving our country, give thanks for them, and our awesome freedom.
2. Ask your children if they’d like to write a note to one of these families thanking them.
3. Bring a meal to a family who lost their dad, mom, or spouse serving our country to show we remember and are grateful for them, and just to practically help out.
(If you have more ideas, please share them below!)
We are forever grateful for all the brave, selfless men and women who gave their lives so we can live in freedom. Lord, please bless these families immeasurably. In Jesus’ Name, amen.