grow not weary, week two of challenges: child training and discipline

These last days of winter I tend to get a little stir crazy and things can get tough. So I set out to post some challenges to help us get through the tough days and into the bright, warm days of spring, that we grow not weary in our work of schooling and raising kids, running a home, and all the other things we juggle throughout the week.

Last week the challenge was to "sow to the spirit"--to commit/recommit to personal study of God's word, incorporating prayer, journaling and memorization.

This week I focus our attention on training and disciplining the kids. When we set out to educate our children, we need to have their attention. Math can get really hard with a kid who is cronically disobedient. Take some time to examine why you feel stressed and exasperated. Could it be that you don't have the attention of your children? We're not perfect, but we can encourage each other to keep growing, keep loving, and to strive for consistency with our kids.

I enoucrage you to get some books, take a long look at what the Bible says about training and disciplining your children and the example Scripture sets before us, and then take some time to get this right.

Our standard in our home is for our children to obey "right away, all the way, and with a happy heart." And I have to work really hard to not repeat myself and be consistent.

If you need to, take a week off from formal studies and do nothing but work on first-time obedience. It is worth your time to reset the standard at your house if you need to. Your study time will become more peaceful and productive when expectations are clear and order is restored.

Some resources I found helpful:

Don't Make Me Count to Three 
Shepherding a Child's Heart 
Getting Your House in Order
Multi-Generational Promise
Child Training