7:43......
is the time and the house is quiet for at least a few more minutes.....hopefully. ;-)
I have figured out that Chloe very much needs a set routine. Our family is anything but on a set routine. Every night before bed, Jason and I go over what is going on the next day and we are tired before that day even begins. :) So for me, setting a schedule has been challenging but fun. I have set things for her every morning, afternoon and evening. I won't bore you with all the details but I do need your help....especially anyone who has raised or is raising an older (than 9)child.
Part of her morning is to do Bible work. After this last year of school I have determined that Good Character does not come naturally to 3rd graders. So, I started targeting her issued points, along with issues her friends have that I don't want to become an issue for her.
I was at a Dr.'s appointment the other day and over heard an older lady talking to another older man about how young families are doing it all wrong these days and not teaching their children this and that, on and on. I wanted to move closer so I could hear.....PLEASE......fill me in!!!! I am at a point where I feel like Chloe is very impressionable as a young lady and a lot is going to be shaped and reshaped over the next several years and I want to get first dibs on what she knows about this life we are living and why we are living it. It is all for GODS glory, this is what she has been taught but how do I teach her to live it and be strong in it, to own it when we aren't around.
So I ramble on and on to ask this....
1. If you are older and read this, please give me one thing you would have done differently in bringing up your children. (along with any other advice).
2. If you are a mother of girls, (especially older than 9) what advice do you have.
Please don't misunderstand, Chloe is a wonderful little girl. I am just terrified of messing up and not raising her to be a wonderful, Godly young lady. We only have her for a certain amount of time. I don't want to waste it full of regret.
So....please, don't hold back....feed me your knowledge as a mother!!!!!!
I have figured out that Chloe very much needs a set routine. Our family is anything but on a set routine. Every night before bed, Jason and I go over what is going on the next day and we are tired before that day even begins. :) So for me, setting a schedule has been challenging but fun. I have set things for her every morning, afternoon and evening. I won't bore you with all the details but I do need your help....especially anyone who has raised or is raising an older (than 9)child.
Part of her morning is to do Bible work. After this last year of school I have determined that Good Character does not come naturally to 3rd graders. So, I started targeting her issued points, along with issues her friends have that I don't want to become an issue for her.
I was at a Dr.'s appointment the other day and over heard an older lady talking to another older man about how young families are doing it all wrong these days and not teaching their children this and that, on and on. I wanted to move closer so I could hear.....PLEASE......fill me in!!!! I am at a point where I feel like Chloe is very impressionable as a young lady and a lot is going to be shaped and reshaped over the next several years and I want to get first dibs on what she knows about this life we are living and why we are living it. It is all for GODS glory, this is what she has been taught but how do I teach her to live it and be strong in it, to own it when we aren't around.
So I ramble on and on to ask this....
1. If you are older and read this, please give me one thing you would have done differently in bringing up your children. (along with any other advice).
2. If you are a mother of girls, (especially older than 9) what advice do you have.
Please don't misunderstand, Chloe is a wonderful little girl. I am just terrified of messing up and not raising her to be a wonderful, Godly young lady. We only have her for a certain amount of time. I don't want to waste it full of regret.
So....please, don't hold back....feed me your knowledge as a mother!!!!!!
I believe that raising godly children starts with being godly parents and glorifying God in your marriage especially. You can teach your daughter to glorify God by glorifying Jason and in essence that also glorifies God.
She is learning from you daily on how to react to others and how to behave chastely. She will start making mature choices in dress/hair/makeup and friendships because her parents guide her in her choices. Our children are going to make mistakes. Its about teaching them HOW to choose and letting them make the choice. Create in her a heart that loves and seeks God first and all this other stuff will come.
Mark and I are reading "A momentary marriage" by John Piper. Its quite good. The concept I keep reminding myself of daily is this: What we receive in our vertical relationship with God (Mercy, grace, forgiveness, love, and patience to name a few things) we give out in our horizontal relationships to all others. First it starts with our spouse and then to others. Its a very humbling concept really. God puts up with a lot from me. I am such a selfish person. But when I realize this and then become an extension of Him to others its amazing. When Mark does something annoying (like forget to take the trash to the road for pick up and it sits in our yard yet another week) I need to put it in perspective to myself realizing that there are characteristics and habits I have that others look beyond and accept in me anyway...especially my heavenly father. We can teach this same concept to our children to mold their spiritual character.
You are already a great mother and a wonderful wife. Keep growing in grace and knowledge and your children will follow you and Jason into Gods arms.
There is a version for girls called For Young Women Only. I'm not sure a 9-year-old needs it, but when she it about 12 or 13, I would highly recommend it. I plan to have my daughters read it some day. :)
You know all my grown girls. I am so very proud of them. I am confident that they are very grounded spiritually. They encourage me more than they can know. How that happened, I'm not sure. I made many mistakes with them but I think that they were anle to see that being a child of God was ALL that mattered in the end. They saw my 'bad side' and forgave me when I messed up. I think that I succeeded in letting them know that they could talk to me about anything. I was always very aware of where they were, who they were with and when they wouuld be home. I trusted them until they gave me reason not to, and it took time for them to regain my trust. I don't think there is a formula to give you other than do your best to be the best Christian that you can be. Let them know that you are not perfect, that you make mistakes but God ALWAYS, ALWAYS knows what's best. I have a 14 ywar old daughter that I have the same concerns and fears that you have for Cloe. I'll do my best and leave the rest in God's hands.