Learn to train a dog to train a child?

I just got done reading a sweet little book called Footprints of a Pilgrim the Life and Loves of Ruth Bell Graham. In a journal entry she once wrote regarding child training :

"Every Parent should read at least one good book on dog training. Odd how, in a day when children are notoriously disobedient, dog training and obedience classes are increasing in popularity. Basically the rules are simple.

1. Keep commands simple and at a minimum. One word to a command and always the same word. Come. Sit. Stay. Heel. Down. No. (I talk my children dizzy).

2. Be consistent.

3. Be persistent. Follow through. Never give a command without seeing it is obeyed.

4. When the dog responds correctly, praise him. (Not with food. remember, don't reward children materially for doing well. Your praise should be enough.)

Its a fine kettle of fish when our dogs are better trained than our children."

Wise counsel, Mrs. Graham! 

Plan of action Part 3

The price of ministry... long bleeps in things like blogging :). Last week was a pause in life as our church hosted its annual Missions Conference... and then the predicted sickness we all had from a lack of sleep. *sigh*

Now, we are back in the saddle. The next, but not final plan of action I have in dealing with my children's disobedience is for me to re-read my parenting books. I am a firm believer that not all parenting books are created equal- its good to read books, but a total waste if the books are not cross- centered and biblically sound. So, I have been very particular over my parenting book selections. Here are a few of my favorites ( I am on the lookout for others that are of the same quality, but these have enough good "meat" to provide that not very many more books are needed.).


1. The Duties of Parents by R.C. Sproul ( You can read it online Here.)

2. Don't Make me Count to Three! by Ginger Plowman

3. Wise Words for Mom's by Ginger Plowman

4. Shepherding a child's Heart by Tedd Tripp

On my list of books that are on the same caliber and will be read in the very near future are

1. Age of Opportunity by Paul David Tripp

2.The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elizabeth Elliott

Plan of action Part 2

Yesterday marked my determined effort to bring order back into the home. I spent some time (not very much time, as you can see by the pictures) writing out some charts. (If I have some time, I will make them pretty- but when your desperate, torn, wrinkled paper and a pen work just as great!) The first two are things that must get done before leaving their room in the morning. No clothes, no clean room, no food.

I also have distributed all of the major housework (with crossed fingers and a prayer- too advantageous of me? We will see.) The first chart is all of the things that they have to mentally check out before leaving the room- or things they have to do before bed at night- I have one or two last things to add to that one... no leaving my room and no talking...*sigh*



 This next chart was extremely helpful as well.  I had strayed from writing out their daily school "to-do's", but that has not been well- especially for my middle one- who conveniently forgets what I tell her to do. So I slapped those subjects on the dry-erase board yesterday- and she loved it! I would have thought she would be discouraged to see all she had to do... but no! She loved marking out each item completed one by one- and with a giggle and a grin.

 Did it work? See for yourself... If I could have taken a hundred pictures- I would have- with a singing heart! They all did (even the heaviest chores) it with such eagerness and joy. What a turnaround!

I was reminded of this verse, " Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice."

I Chron 16:10 

The Lord is interested in the smallest events of our lives and he desires to intervene if we call out to Him.

A plan of action

On the girltalk blog, the women have encouraged other women to join either their FAM (Fast a Meal) or their Five am club (Getting up early for prayer). I cannot fast a meal because I am pregnant, but I can fast some sleep and that is what I have begun to do as one of the first steps in my plan of action to bring peace back into my home. As I have been studying and seeking God for His grace and help, I was encouraged by these two scriptures:
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Gal 6:9.
Being a mother is a high calling. It is not only a task to bring up children...in my case, educated and disciplined children, but more importantly than that daunting task, is to raise children who love their Savior. It is easy to give into discouragement and failure, but I can have peace as I remind myself of what scripture says and patiently teach my children scripture in the midst of a chaotic season.

Which brings me to my next verse
" The wicked flee though no one pursues,but the righteous are as bold as a lion." Prov 28:1.
 Why this verse? You might ask. Have you ever been tempted, like I have, to bury your head in your arms in the midst of two children fighting, or a child arguing with you, or the constant tattling, and just go to a happy place? I cannot tell you how often I have felt like just walking away and ignoring it all for my sanity. Why is this wrong? Because I am avoiding the real problem. I can be as bold as a lion and get in there and point my children to the cross- which is not easy and always requires LOTS of time and patience, or I can flee like the wicked would.

So, I will call our for grace and face the day with peace knowing God has His grace awaiting me in this exhausting task. Seeking the Lord first and foremost in the day is my first plan of action becasue peace begins with me. I hope you might be encouraged my this as well. Tomorrow I have my second plan of action to share.

Blogging slump...Family slump

I have had such a hard time getting myself going since my 3 month bout with morning sickness. After the Christmas season, I have found that my previous disciplines, motivation, and family peace have been turned upside down. It's amazing what a few months can do. I am fully aware that my standing with God never changes no matter how undisciplined I or my family get, but allowing laziness, disobedience and chaos reign does not serve to bring peace or joy into a home. So... I am on a mission. I am going to go on a quest to get things back in order and learn all I can possibly can about wisdom in this season. I am going to research scripture, read books, articles and blogs and put them into practice until my family is back in order.
The very first thing I did was to pray and ask for God's grace. The next thing was to enlist the help of my husband. I normally try to give my husband the highlights of our days- good events rather than the negative. I try to keep my frustrations with school and kids between the Lord and myself, and only going to my husband for help when a child is out of my control. At times this is okay... I don't want to constantly be complaining and telling my husband how terrible the kids are- that doesn't serve to give him a great feeling about coming home; but I have seen that not discussing some of the major issues has made that matter worse in their hearts. So...now he is aware.
The biggest blessing of the day has already occurred- my husband overheard a response one of my children had this morning, and he promptly decided to take one of his days off and stay at home to help me homeschooling! What a relief that was to me, not to mention to m kids! They had the joy of having Dad expertly show them a science experiment as well as teach them a few things Mom had not been able to get to.
I would like to post as I go along... and I hope by the end there will be amazing fruit to show for the many prayers and studying I intend to do.