Difficult Discipline by Trish D'Antonio
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Being a mom is hard work. When I was still part of the "working" world, I thought my bosses were sometimes unreasonable in their expectations. HA! They've got nothing on a 3 year old... My son has always been a ball of energy, but for the past month he has been much more moody. He has started throwing temper tantrums, and just generally being pouty. Definitely not a good trend! And it makes parenting, discipline in particular, really difficult. It's so easy just to lash out in frustration.

A few years ago (before I was a parent), I read something somewhere talking about the root of the word discipline. Did you ever realize that it's related to disciple? We are shaping our children through discipline, making disciples. That little tidbit stuck with me, and is always in the back of my mind, reminding me of our huge responsibility.

We're working our way through Ephesians on Sunday mornings. A few weeks ago, our pastor hit verse 6:4 - "Fathers, do not exasperate your children. Instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Yes, it's important that my children have good manners and obey, but am I being equally vigilant in spiritual matters? What's more important - saying please, or understanding Christ's sacrifice? Picking up toys when asked, or thanking God for His amazing gifts?

I know if I were focusing more on what's truly important, I wouldn't be growing so frustrated with these little issues. These are the trials I'm experiencing at this stage in my life, and according to James, I am to consider it joy because I'm developing perseverance! Help me, Lord, to keep my proper perspective so that I can pass that on to our children.

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 5:26 pm Post subject:
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Just wanted to share the comment that was left by another friend, in response to my original entry:

"Two things that really helped me early on was 1) not to take it personal when the kids disobeyed. So often we get offended. Remember that they are struggling with their sin nature(just like we are). You only have to look at the first children born on this earth for proof of that. 2) a quote from Charles Stanley from the parenting section of The Glorious Journey, "Christian parents must guard against being so intent on "doing a good job" as parents that their children begin to feel like objects being "worked on" rather than persons with whom to relate in love and enjoyment." This idea was life changing for me. "
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~Trish D

"Surely dishes and laundry shall not follow me ALL the days of my life?!?" Jobs 24:7