Thursday, March 25, 2010

Back to the Duggars

Posted by Tracy Wainwright at 7:30 PM
So, it's been a little over a week since we've began implementing some tips from the Duggars (20 and Counting.) My husband was very skeptical about the rings with chore cards on them. "Who's going to get excited about that?" he wanted to know. Oh, ye of little faith in childhood enthusiasm, I told him.

A week into it, they are still doing well with the cards. The 7 & 5 year olds more so than the 2 year old, but that's to be expected. I do have to continue managing. "Did you finish all your cards?" I ask. "What about this one?" "No, just because we started out of order doesn't mean you get to skip brushing your teeth and hair." They are all still young, after all.

I'd give the chore cards on rings four stars, though. They are a great help to a busy mom.

Also getting four stars is the buddy system. While all of my children get along most of the time and bicker on occasion, they are thriving in their buddy assignments. For some reason, saying, "go help your little buddy," gets a much more enthusiastic response than, "get your sister's shoes on, please." Again, much of how well it goes is how good a manager I'm being - some days better than others.

Third to get four stars: the memory verses on the character trait that we're learning. They each do well, based on their maturity. We have been reviewing them about three times a week. But, they also give me a foundation to return to when someone's complaining about helping out. I take it back to God, back to His commands, and it's not Mommy being bossy anymore.

Since we have almost a week left in the month, I think I'll add another verse to our learning about serving. Matthew 20:28 says, "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." If Jesus is the perfect example and ideal we are to strive for ("For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:29), then I want to examine His life, and teach my children to do likewise, in order to know God's "perfect and pleasing will" in my life.

This is my goal every day, and I fail every day. But with people like the Duggars being willing to share their journey in trusting in God, I am more encouraged to continue to strive for the best God has for me.

0 comments on "Back to the Duggars"

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Back to the Duggars

So, it's been a little over a week since we've began implementing some tips from the Duggars (20 and Counting.) My husband was very skeptical about the rings with chore cards on them. "Who's going to get excited about that?" he wanted to know. Oh, ye of little faith in childhood enthusiasm, I told him.

A week into it, they are still doing well with the cards. The 7 & 5 year olds more so than the 2 year old, but that's to be expected. I do have to continue managing. "Did you finish all your cards?" I ask. "What about this one?" "No, just because we started out of order doesn't mean you get to skip brushing your teeth and hair." They are all still young, after all.

I'd give the chore cards on rings four stars, though. They are a great help to a busy mom.

Also getting four stars is the buddy system. While all of my children get along most of the time and bicker on occasion, they are thriving in their buddy assignments. For some reason, saying, "go help your little buddy," gets a much more enthusiastic response than, "get your sister's shoes on, please." Again, much of how well it goes is how good a manager I'm being - some days better than others.

Third to get four stars: the memory verses on the character trait that we're learning. They each do well, based on their maturity. We have been reviewing them about three times a week. But, they also give me a foundation to return to when someone's complaining about helping out. I take it back to God, back to His commands, and it's not Mommy being bossy anymore.

Since we have almost a week left in the month, I think I'll add another verse to our learning about serving. Matthew 20:28 says, "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." If Jesus is the perfect example and ideal we are to strive for ("For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:29), then I want to examine His life, and teach my children to do likewise, in order to know God's "perfect and pleasing will" in my life.

This is my goal every day, and I fail every day. But with people like the Duggars being willing to share their journey in trusting in God, I am more encouraged to continue to strive for the best God has for me.

0 comments:

 

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