Friday, March 27, 2009

Borrowed Words, But Good

I stumbled across this blog the other day. In it, a mom shared some tidbits of lessons she had been challenged with as a homeschool mother of five kids. This list challenged me as well so I asked if I could share it.

As a Christian stay-at-home mom who homeschools (boy, that is too long of a title), my roles get muddied sometimes. Am I teacher, mentor, mom, friend, chauffeur, cook, referee, maid, individual – or is it miraculously a combination of all? This list of reminders helped to focus me. Don't read it to be discouraged if you are having a bad day (as I had yesterday). However, read it to be encouraged that God has given you an awesome job as a mother and possibly teacher. Most definitely you have the job of discipler whether your children are with you all day or not. Some say that being a mom is the hardest job in the world. It may be, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. With God's help I have the opportunity to disciple and invest in at least the lives of the four children in my home so that they in turn can impact their world as well.

Be encouraged today!

*Everything we say either blesses or curses our children. (Isn't that convicting?)

*Harshness changes the focus of correction. With positive correction, a child thinks, "I'm in trouble because I did something wrong." With negative correction, a child thinks, "I'm in trouble because I upset Dad/Mom."

*As a parent, it is important to win every battle with your child or you lose your credibility and authority as a parent. Keeping that in mind, choose your battles wisely. Do not make things that don't really matter into a battle.

*Older kids have a mission field right in their own home: their younger siblings!

*A difficult child's character flaws are just more obvious than a compliant child's... not necessarily more numerous.

*No parent can see the future, but you must plan for it.

*We have faith to begin... we need to have faith to the end.

3 comments:

Jodi said...

Thanks for the Bday wishes Sandy. God knew I needed more work than I thought. I appreciate all of your comments and kind words. Hugs, Jodi

He & Me + 3 said...

Great post. I had one of those days on Wednesday. ugh. I am just so tired...it has been a long week. Thanks for this post. It meant alot.

Jodi said...

Thanks for your comment Sandy. I think I want to go with the black too. It just looks so clean and classy. I'm thankful for your input:) Hope you're enjoying the weekend!