It's funny that although I find positive reinforcement to be highly effective...I don't discipline myself to use it all the time. Why? Well, because it requires just that discipline...forethought, planning, energy!
"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid." Proverbs 12:1
How can I teach my children to be disciplined in their character if I myself am not disciplined. AND...loving knowledge, also applying it!
But...this goes much deeper...much greater in importance. Beyond just flat out being a command...
"Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death."
Prov. 19:18
....yes, beyond the command...Hebrews 12:7 says, "It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" This tells me that my discipline of myself and my children teaches a much more important lesson.
The lesson of God the Father's love for His own.
"If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." verses 8-11, emphasis mine!
That's really what I want to teach my children...yes, using Skittles, positive reinforcement, love, kindness...I want to teach them that my love for them is a picture (and sadly poor at best) of God's love for the world...and for them!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16  |
| Mama's Heart |
4 comments:
Yes -- you know, I've been thinking a lot about the discipline of self-control and how much I want my children to have it. But, somewhere along the way, I forgot that I need to be a pretty good model of it and when I yell and lose it, I'm not doing a very good job of doing that.
I love this idea of using Skittles. Kids respond to incentives, so why not? And your skittles look super cool in the jar!
I am feeling a big weight on my shoulders about the whole discipline and self control thing because those are areas I'm lacking in. I really need to work on this. I don't want my kids to inherit my failings.
Thanks for linking up, friend, love your heart!
Also, the linky tool has been fixed and I'll be using a new tool next week for our link up. I signed up with another hosting service and changed all the link up's, so we're good to go. Thank you again!!
It's amazing to me that when we moms open our hearts the feelings inside are mirror images of each other - the struggles, the fears - so many similarities. Thank you for the reminder that deeds and actions always speak louder than words and that it does take discipline and making the choice if we are to model Godly traits for our kiddos.
I agree...we are all so similar. I just can't over lately that everywhere I look everything is pointing back to me..as the parent.
maybe if I let God in to the really deep places to work I would start seeing a difference in my children?
You are a woman who is seeking God for herself and her kids..that is everything!
there is no other place to be. LOVE the skittle idea...wonder if that would work with my 16 year old...lol! would be nice though yes?
xo
nice to meet you too!
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