Today I learned

Maturity is when your son stops to help his little sister off the slide at church on the way to the car despite all the other siblings disappearing. ESPECIALLY when he normally is tunnel visioned. It also is when he listens to teaching about rebellion and parenting with you then responds appropriately later when corrected. These moments are becoming larger in number and more frequent. While they make me proud they also make me sad because he is growing up and having to encounter the hard stuff of life.
 Today when all kids were sent to their rooms to rest ie sleep I had the house to myself. I decided instead of listening to music, tv or computer I would listen to Joe McGee Smart moms cd set
In it he gives some pointers such as our job is to not simply raise kids but to train them. Raising is to clothe, feed, nurture them, training includes providing correction. Another valuable insight that I replayed about 3 times, then 3 more with my oldest son who actually set his alarm for the 30 min nap time I required but did not literally mean.
5 kinds of active rebellion:
1. Defiantly saying no
2. Hitting parents
3. knowingly disobeying
4. throwing tantrums
5. ignoring instructions

4 kinds of passive rebellion:
1. consistent forgetfulness
2. external obedience with bad attitude (sighs, roll eyes, huffing, stomping while doing)
3. obeys only when it is on own terms, negotiating I will if I get
4. does required things but not how it was directed

Man that was good stuff for him to hear because I do not think he understood why he would end up with 50 push ups in 5 increments from his stomping, clenched fists, huffing, groaning and more.

side note: I too was skeptical about push ups as teaching tool but as a mom of older boys I can say that they are physical creatures who need a connection with a physical action to really get it. Well then that and I figure they may as well get stronger during this process too :)

 It is AMAZING how a man's teacher voice via cd was all the he needed for the light bulb to click. Shortly after this he was in the kitchen and he was not he had intentionally did what I said half way as in not as complete as I expected. I then pointed out the passive rebellion and the consequence that had to ensue because of it. He openly accepted correction and went on to fix his wrong. I commended such instant change and explained how he would have ended up grounded all night but instead he only had to finish and added a bit further to it to remind. Praise God for this breakthrough! I know that I know this kid has a HUGE calling which will effect people when he finally gets past this.
See post 2 today about my new "attempt" at inspiring the right kind of behavior from my kids. I am always on the look out for ways to direct, teach and have fun in this trek we call life on earth!

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