I repeat myself. Not because I forget what I'm saying but because the four kidlings that I spend my time with can't seem to remember what I have said even if I have repeated it a million times. As a parent we try lots of things to get our point across and when something works we rejoice. I have found, by trial and error, that screaming, sarcasm, growling, jumping up and down (while waving my arms screaming sarcasm), and slamming kitchen doors are not effective was to motivate my children.
So I decided that maybe we need some rules to help us all live in harmony. A few years ago now while on a trip to our cabin, where everything is better, we sat down together to write these rules:
1. Say Please and Thank you.
2. Keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself.
3. The door is not a toy.
4. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
5. Help each other be what God wants for them.
6. Do everything without complaining.
7. Honor God and your parents.
8. Be gentle, loving, kind and respectful in your words, choices and actions.
9. Take responsibility for your own actions.
10. In everything give thanks.
When we came home we posted them on the wall in the kitchen. I had a grand plan of maybe framing them or making them fancy in some way. The fancy part never happened but we still have this tattered paper in the kitchen of our new home.
These simple rules have given us a positive way to help each other be accountable for what we say and do.
Thank you God for giving us choices. Thank you for the grace you bless us with when we make choices that please you.
