I suppose it's typical for every mother of young children... the trial of getting them to do their homework, chores, etc. We pester, nag, plead, punish. Collin is typical. I have to nag him to do his homework, practice the piano, make his bed, clean his room. Sometimes he responds quickly, and other times.... not. And at those times when he is doing something other than the task I asked him to complete, he is usually involved in something that makes it difficult for me to ask him to stop. "Collin, please put down that encyclopedia and make your bed," sounds kind of silly. So does, "Collin, stop playing the piano and do your homework." You see, Collin likes to play the piano for fun, and reads non-fiction as entertainment. I suppose it would be a lot easier to say, "Collin, put down that Game Boy and clean your room." Fortunately, I don't have to worry about that since he doesn't own anything such thing. I hope it lasts.
I LOVE THIS! These were my exact words just the other day. We started homeschooling a year ago and one of the hopes I had was that my children would learn to love reading. It had become a chore for Chris because it was "required" at school and was "work". Now, a year later, I am saying those exact things..."Chris, put the book down until reading time" or "Patty Lyn, put down the encyclopedia, you need to make your bed." For Emma, I have to ask her to stop working in her kindergarten math book (she's 4) so she can make her bed and get dressed. Then, there's that same thing with the piano. The wonderful thing about our homes is that we get to choose what surrounds us in our environment. There aren't any GameBoys, XBoxes, TV or movies that we have to make the kids put away because we choose not to have it in our environment. If all they have to choose from is what is good and uplifting, then they will make choices that are good and uplifting. Isn't the Gospel great? I love your blog...it's so fun to see your beautiful family...and beautiful YOU!!
ReplyDeleteMuch Love,
Alisa Morford