Aaaah!!! Finally, a little break!
For the past week, we really haven't had too much of a "normal" routine around here. The girls and I have spent a lot of time away from home and nap times have been spent in the car. I just put both girls down for their nap and although I can hear DearDaughter1 talking in her room, she sounds quite content and so I am just going to enjoy this little time of rest.
We have had quite a week, but it was all GOOD! DearDaughter1 got to spend a lot of time with her bestest friend. In fact, they spent so much time together last week that DearDaughter1 looked at me this morning and asked for her friend. I felt quite bad because we probably won't see them again until Sunday. So, I'm glad that we do have a play date planned with another friend tomorrow.
DearDaughter1 and I have had some challenging times. She's either been really clingy and won't let me leave her side or she's throwing a fit/tantrum. I'm still trying to work this struggle out and so I don't really have any resolutions at this moment. However, there's 2 verses that keep coming to mind when I think of this challenging 2 stage:
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)
and
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. (Colossians 3:21)
God's Word is so amazing because it teaches us the "balance" of things. Our first responsibility as parents is to teach our children how to obey and when I think of obedience, I think of discipline. Yet, we, as parents are also instructed not to embitter our children or as Paul puts it in Ephesians, "exasperate" them. So, as I think of this, I think of loving and praising our children. This is what I've been trying to work out. Balancing out disciplining DearDaughter1 when she disobeys, but still covering and showering her with my love so that she doesn't misunderstand discipline for rejection.
Well, my rest period is almost up. I will now snuggle up on the couch for awhile with my book and enjoy my apple cider donut and cup of coffee...
1 comment:
So glad that you were able to grab a few peaceful moments. Balancing love and discipline is a tough job; I've really been enjoying the class from Focus on the Family that our church is offering. For me personally, the best reminder has been to take action before I'm upset. Telling my kids something three times, and then losing my patience and blowing up is not an effective way to shape their behavior. When I ask them to do something, I need to folow up immediately. Unfortunately I'm still doing too much yelling, but God is gracious with His children and still helping me grow :)
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