Teaching Respect

Do you ever have those days where it just feels so good to put your feet up?  Or to lay down in your bed?  Or maybe just the feeling of relief for those nights when the kids finally fall asleep (which I'm anxiously awaiting as I write now, so that maybe I can finish a complete thought).

One night last week, all I wanted was to put my feet up so I could have that great feeling.  I was getting ready to stretch out on the couch with my new magazine after a rough evening with one of my children.  The conflict had finally subsided, and I was drained.  I slipped off my shoes, fluffed up the pillows behind me, and was in the midst of stretching across the couch when my eight year-old stepped in front of me with a book in her hand.

"Can we do our devotion now?"

Now, what was I going to say to that?  It's not something I'm good about following through on every night, but I certainly couldn't say no.  I lowered my feet back down to the floor, and my little girl snuggled up next to me.  Her little brother slid in on her other side.  

She already had the page ready, and asked if she could read it.  I nodded and she read the title out loud. 

"Respecting Your Parents."  With that announcement, she immediately cut her eyes over to her older brother who had been my challenge of the night.  I repressed a smile. 

She continued reading, and I realized I had two choices for our discussion.  I could further illustrate my point to my oldest son, using examples from earlier in the evening.  Or I could use this opportunity to discuss with these children sitting next to me how they can show respect.  I recognized (with the help of Bob and Larry, thank you VeggieTales) that they needed positive examples and a discussion that did not involve their brother's actions.  

It was one of the best discussions we've had over a devotion. 

When I was down on myself, feeling like a failure as a parent, God used an eight year-old child to bring my focus back to the right direction.  

  

And there was still plenty of time to put my feet up.  

What is something that has helped you change your focus when things are rough?     

Front Porch Sittin'

                It was a beautiful weekend in North Texas, especially for November.  On Sunday, it was sunny, the temperature was comfortable, and there was a nice breeze. 

                My husband and I were outside moving some things around.  When we were done, I started to walk inside and he walked over to the swing. 

He told me, “We need to sit on the porch.  Take a break and sit out here with me. “ 

                The list of things I still needed to do was running through my mind, but I walked over there anyway.  The porch is one of my favorite things about our house, and I do enjoy sitting on the swing (when it’s not surrounded in children’s bicycles). 

                We probably spent close to an hour sitting there rocking back and forth, talking.  The boys were building with Legos on the other side of the porch, enjoying the weather outside.  My husband and I were talking about our future plans, brainstorming.  Creativity was flowing.  I had a sense of purpose.  I was refreshed.  I also realized I need to spend more time enjoying little things like nice weather. 

There will always be a long list of things to do, but sometimes you’ve just got to do some front porch sittin'. 

Frozen Pencils

My kids have an after school routine that is fairly consistent.  Even little Aubrey in Kindergarten knows the drill.  He takes his backpack to the table, picks up his homework folder, and then opens the freezer to get out a pencil.

That’s right.  He gets his pencil from the freezer.

You know, we haven’t always kept pencils in the freezer, and maybe some of you are thinking I’m a little weird with this absurdity.  I even resisted at first.  I mean, was it really too difficult for them to walk to the desk and get one from the pencil cup?

It started with a trip to the library to register for the summer reading program.  The prize for signing up was a color change pencil, where the colors change according to temperature.  When we came home, immediately four pencils went into the freezer lined up side by side.  They had to see the alternate color and I was told it would take too long in the refrigerator. 

Once the school year started, the collection in the freezer grew as my younger kids would bring home new pencils.  They have added a birthday pencil, a rainbow pencil, and a special pencil from a best friend.  These pencils don’t change color, but for some reason my kids think the freezer is the place to store them. 

It’s just another one of those things that make my kids who they are. 

I love that about them.