Most college students keep themselves pretty busy and I was no exception. Momhood redefines busy, but nevertheless I was busy in a college student sort of way. Most of the quiet time I had was in the shower. For most of my college journey I had a roommate and then I got married and the quietness was different, but mainly my alone time was in the shower. I heard the Lord speak to me many times while I was in the shower. One time I was told to break up with my boyfriend and other times He just led me to pray more or to get rid of other things He saw in my life.
Well, now my life is different. . .busy as most everyones and now the Lord has to pretty much shout to talk with me over the lawn mower. Yes, the showers are shorter and not much time to socialize there with the Lord. Now He speaks to me while I mow my 3/4 of an acre. Almost every time I go out to mow I hear the Lord tell me something pretty significant (for me).
Now I am about to tell you something that I do not like to admit. . .actually several things. One is that my kids do not drink milk, we have not taken supplements and we do not drink soy milk. I have tried many different things and for one reason or another we have not stuck to any one solution to not drinking milk. Obviously, my kids do eat cheese, yogurt as well as ice cream. . .anything but just a glass of white milk.
I started trying to get to the bottom of this while mowing the lawn tonight. I believe the main reason my kids do not drink milk is because I do not drink milk. I just simply do not like it. My son had a lactose intolerance of some sort when he was little and has pretty much outgrown it, but he still does not like milk. My daughter just does not like the taste. I really think a lot of it has to do with me and how I have perceived it and presented or have not presented it to my family.
Then I began thinking about how many other things besides milk I have done this with. What other things have I not given to my kids because I don't like it. . .other than food. Have I memorized Scripture with my kids. . .no because I don't do that. No, this is not a guilt ridden message. . .it is a wake up call to think of things that I have a bad attitude or a funky taste in my mouth about so that I can be proactive to teach my kids differently. I want to find the things like milk that I do not like or things that I do not regularly offer to my kids and teach them that those things are ok and actually good for you.
So what things do I need to teach my kids that I do not do? First of all, I cannot expect them to do things that I do not do. . .so modeling should be my goal.
- to drink milk. . .I think I might buy us some chocolate milk this week at the grocery store. . .that's better than nothing, right? I might even have a glass or two with them. I am going to make milk my reminder that I am exposing my kids to more things that are good for you and that they need to learn to like
- to stop complaining about things and be more positive. . .I want Gretel to especially learn this
- I posted about this last week, but to take time to relax and have fun. They are not going to have fun with their kids if I do not take the time to have fun with them now.
This is all I have in me right now. So tell me, what are the things that you need to teach your kids? What do you need to model to get them to be excited? What do you struggle with making yourself do as a mom that you need to teach your kids?
A few months ago we were struggling with how to keep our kids motivated and to get tasks done around the house without having to nag them. Well, we have been trying out the Good Job Jar since February and it really, really works. The kids have had a regular "income" streaming in and it has incredibly motivated them to do all sorts of things, including having a good attitude. On Monday, I gave Hansel a list and he got three pennies (which equates to .30 cents) for each thing that he did.
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