My guys are growing up so very quickly!! Today little boys, tomorrow~ men!! DD will one day be a wife and Mommy!!!(They'd all probably die if they knew how many grandbabies I want!!!) My time with them in the nest is going by so fast! I read this formula in some book or out on the net somewhere: Responsibility equals maturity. Early responsibility equals increased maturity. Minimizing responsibility equals irresponsibility. It's stuck with me and I 've seen loads of truth to it. Teaching kids to grow up responsible is not easy....sometimes when they're learning how to be responsible...they blow it and then have to deal with the consequences. Oh when they are little we may help them through some consequences...like driving back to school with some forgotten papers or whatever....but as they get older, that becomes less and less and they may have to suffer through a poor grade or the disapproval of a teacher. Consequences are great teachers! In fact I feel they are the very best!!! They are how children learn responsibility and gain maturity. This year will be a time for giving more responsibility to the kids..... we plan on teaching cooking and letting each one provide a meal one night a week! LOL I'm sure we'll be in for some FUN taste adventures....they can all do some pretty basic stuff already like make toast/bagels....cold cereal.... or slap a quick sandwich together. One isn't tall enough for stove time just yet by himself but I bet he can handle simple things like soup & sandwich or eggs. They all learned how to do laundry last summer but this year they may have to be more responsible to actually DO it!! House work is pretty much mastered as we all take turns and rotate different chores during our Family Home Blessing Hour (This term comes from the Flylady (google her for GREAT house tips)....we do our own version 1 time a week ) Along with training to actually learn the chores came some lessons in stewardship as I feel strongly that it is important to look after and take care of the things we are blessed with individually and as a family. I wanted them to learn that everything we have comes from God and that he expects us to take care of these things as best as we can. Chores really just teach kids basic skills that are needed for adulthood. My guys do get paid a small amount for some chores done....but others they do not.....as some things are required just because they belong to a large family and we all have to contribute to the home we share. Since they do earn a very small income....lessons are also being taught about basic money management. In the fall we hope to take them to our local bank to open their first accounts.....then they can learn about check writing and balancing.....possibly even investing (on a VERY small scale) We do teach them to be generous with their money and they know about tithing....but we don't require them to tithe as we feel the children are included in our overall household tithe-ie the family tithe comes out of God's provision through DH's income....and while we are their covering.... we cover that for them!! Each stage of kiddome has its perks.... and we are at the front door of teenagerdome!!! LOL I hope I make it through.....I'm NOT too old to remember mine......
LORD HELP ME THROUGH
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