Comments on: Obedient Children: The Exception?

By: wordwarrior

wordwarrior — Sat, 23 May 2009 14:16:35 +0000

Rachel,

First I want to say I am so sorry that you just lost your mom…I can’t imagine the heartache.

Secondly, your comment is spot-on. So true, that generally, our culture has stopped raising adults, and even scoff at the ones who dare to teach any considerable amount of responsbility (child abuse, you know). Well said.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 23 May 2009 13:59:25 +0000

When my now 14 year old immpulsive daughter was still quite young and a variety of parenting styles was floating around in my head… a wise older woman made a comment to me. We had been talking about some of the difficulties I was having with Kendra, she asked me what I wanted my children to be when they grew up. Strange question. I didn’t know, happy? Godly? She smiled and said, “An adult”. I mulled that over a long time. When I plant my garden, I want peas or beans or squash … right? I don’t tell people I’m raising flowers. So I started to consider what kind of an adult did I want my daughter to be … kind, loving, thoughtful, Godly, knows her scripture, confident in herself, good mother and wife … and quickly came to the conclusion that what most people were doing was raising children … and when their children reahed 20 and older, that they still had children.

So while my 14 year old still takes every opportunity to sit in the sand and dig and build castles with her almost 4 year old brother and similar aged nephews … she also knows how to cook and clean a house, how to take care of little children, and how to defend her faith and shows no sign of being shaken at her roots. She and our almost 12 year old eagerly devour christian books, and their favorite thing to listen to on their MP3 players while they do their housework is sermons and Gospel or chorus music.

They aren’t perfect. Not one of my 3 are perfect. But I can see progress on a daily basis. Yesterday, my husband was shocked when our almost 4 year old son began unpacking the groceries (without prompting) and helping Daddy put them away. Joel proudly held up his little hands and said, “Dees is elpin ans”

It’s not easy being a stay at home, homeschooling mom. But I so love it. It has been especially hard with my Dh out of work for over a year now. I’m always surprised that there is still money to keep us afloat – nothing extra – but we have what we need.

My own mother was a wonderful example, and after watching and supporting her daughters in homeschooling, wishes she had done the same. She went home to heaven on Mother’s Day quite unexpectedly. We are still in shock.

By: kimberly

kimberly — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:54:58 +0000

I think many parents make the mistake of wanting to be their childs best friend. Training children is such hard work, you never have a day off, its’ like battle…you have to be there, and in the trenches everyday,Stay at home moms are so rare anymore, but i am convinced watching all my childrens friends raise themselves that the sacrifice to be present and in the moment for my children are worth it.

By: Word Warrior

Word Warrior — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:26:38 +0000

Rhonda–about shy children…

I remembered posting about this very issue recently…here’s the link:
http://www.generationcedar.com/main/2009/03/teaching-children-manners-shyness.html

By: Tracy

Tracy — Thu, 07 May 2009 02:02:18 +0000

What’s really sad is that MSNBC just ran an article about this. Oddly, I actually agreed with most of it. (I’m not a big MSNBC fan.) It’s amazing what children can learn when they’re taught. It’s a rather disturbing trend in the world today.

Blessings to all!!

By: Word Warrior

Word Warrior — Thu, 07 May 2009 01:14:18 +0000

Lucy,

*GRIN* You’re sweet for checking in…yes it’s well. We have had a busy day, so I haven’t got to comment…besides that, everyone’s doing such a great job on their own

Rhonda, I know you asked a question…I’m going to answer, I promise!

By: Lucy T

Lucy T — Thu, 07 May 2009 00:43:42 +0000

Kelly,you are awfully quit today I hope all is well.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:39:09 +0000

I’m a mom of nine (eight here on earth), and it’s even worse when they tag on the end of their comment something that indicates how “lucky” I am to have given birth to nice children
God doesn’t give children, give instruction for their training and then say it will work for “all except YOURS, ha, ha….”
As I have often said, “If I can do this, anyone can. It’s not my work, it’s HIS.”

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:35:41 +0000

Love it Kelly!! I too get those comments from time to time and don’t feel like my kids are acting their best. But I do have one question I wish you would address–I have a very shy 6 year old. I am trying to get him to speak when spoken to by strangers instead of hiding. Any suggestions to how to help him overcome his shyness?

By: Mrs. K

Mrs. K — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:28:16 +0000

I think it is as your mother said. I also think parents simply not being as present as they once were is also a cause. Whether it is because they both work outside the home, or only one parent does, it seems that less and less time is actually devoted to the children by the parent. They are distracted by having “their own lives.” And so that they may have time to have their own lives, they book their children’s schedule with activities. They accuse anyone who spends more than suppertime with their children of “helicopter parenting.”
As being too involved.

I have been confronted numerous amounts of times lately because my 2year is not in preschool! I am neglecting my child because I am not letting other people raise him, and thus I am denying him socialization! It is amazing what our society has contrived about parenting!