Wonderful words of wisdom from a great friend at our church, our associate pastor's wife. She said these words years ago when my oldest was maybe preschool age and they have really stuck with me. Whatever you teach your children in their youth will stick with them as they grow.
Proverbs 22:6 says "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."
Yes, it may take twice as long to let your kids sweep the kitchen floor, help wash dishes or vacuum and it may not be to your standards but you are teaching them so many important things through that simple task.
And it's definitely not easy to take time out of your school lessons to handle with an attitude issue for the umpteenth time but it's worth it! Your kids learn:
1. They get a sense of accomplishment when done.
2. They know you are willing to take the time to help them with something and that you have faith in them to do a "big person's" job.
3. They learn to work hard, not give up and have a heart for serving others
4. You are reinforcing good behavior and attempting to get to the heart of the improper behaviors or attitudes.
Don't get me wrong. This doesn't mean that you won't have issues but it does help a LOT. One personal example is Chelsea, my oldest. She is often very willing to help out around the house and last winter when my husband and I both got the stomach bug she was such a blessing to our family! You can read more about it here. So remember, even though it's not always easy, "You're raising your teens NOW."
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