Living as a mom

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I can’t believe that our baby is due in 17 days! We have been so busy preparing for the big arrival. The girls have been really helpful, too. Then there is a bit of anxiety about how everything will turn out. This is an exciting time!

I have started up a new consequences and rewards plan this week for my children. This is our third day using it, and I think it is helping us out a lot. I like how clear it is. There is a visual and kinesthetic component to it as well. It also reminds me to compliment good behavior more often.

We have always had a “three strikes and you’re out” policy (ie after the third time you are spoken to at the table you have to go to bed immediately.) It has been helpful, but I felt like the kids didn’t completely understand it. I’ve taken it a step further and used a strategy that I used in my classroom. It is a card turning system.

Blue = Great job!
Green = First warning. Lose 1st TV show.
Yellow = Second warning. Lose 2nd TV show.
Red = Final warning. Go to bed without books or songs.

Every day your child starts on blue (or a color of your choice). If there is an offense that warrents disciplinary action, you have your child turn the card to the next color (green in my case). The consequence is discussed at that time, and the day continues as usual. Please note that sometimes rather than turning the cards, there is a consequence that is specific to a particular behavior. For example, the kids refused to clean up their Little People set the other night, so they have lost the privilege to use them until next week.

The second part of the system is a sticker chart. I chose four behaviors that I want from each of my children and assigned each behavior an icon as a reminder for the kids. For example, C4 has Be Kind to Sister, Be Respectful to Adults, Obey Parents, and Get Dressed. A2 has Obey Parents, Use the Potty, Be Kind to Sister, and Stay in Bed. The rewarded behaviors will change over time as I see the children start using them without as much prompting. I give stickers throughout the day as the girls exhibit these target behaviors, especially when the situation makes it difficult for them to do the right thing. Today C4 got a sticker because she offered a younger friend one of her security blankets to use as a blanket for a doll. I knew that it was a challenge for her to let go of that special blanket in order to be kind to her friend, so I made a big deal out of praising her.

Living as a mom is being proactive instead of reactive.

Photo courtesy of simtax105

Photo apdk

Since C4 accepted Christ, she has been hilarious with her sister. She keeps “preaching” to A2.

The other day she told A2 that she had asked Jesus to be her best friend and A2 can do that after she gets to know Jesus a little better. When she knows a lot about him, she can ask Him to be her best friend, too.

Today I heard her explain that no one is perfect except Jesus. She went on to say that people always make mistakes and need to ask for forgiveness. She explained that you have to pray and tell God that you are sorry for making a bad choice and ask Him to help you to stop doing that. A2 was listening very intently during C4′s “sermon”.

It amazes me how God works through ALL of us. Maybe A2 will accept Christ because of her sister’s “sermons”.

The Bible tells us that He wants us to approach Him like little children. My daughter’s faith is remarkable, and I can only hope to come to Jesus the same way that she does.

Photo by Cane Rosso

What a blessing I have received today! A friend, KB, who I am just getting to know, graciously offered to take my kiddos out for a couple of hours so I can get a break. I am so thankful that God put this on her heart. God knows that I really do need a little bit of time to myself to relax and enjoy His gifts. (1 Timothy 6:17) With E in school days are pretty long for me and the workload is pretty hefty. God provides everything we need, though! (2 Peter 1:3-4) I am going to put my feet up and relax with my wonderful God!

I was tagged today by Rose at Shabby Blog…here are the rules:

Go to your sixth Picture Folder then pick your sixth picture.
Hope that you remember the details!

Tag 5 others
So….here is my picture 6th picture in my 6th folder:

This is C at age 3 on January 20. She is playing with the Home Depot tool box that she got for Christmas. In this photo she had just finished pushing all of the buttons on the front. There is a button for each tool and when you push the button, a very friendly voice explains what each of the tools is used for followed by a sound that the tool makes. There is also a button labeled “Home Depot” that has a man calling over the intercom, “Welcome to the Home Depot where you can find any tool for any project.” (Yes, I have heard it millions of times!) She still loves this tool box, and now A2 loves it! Even though listening to the voice all the time can be annoying, the kids do get lots of pretend play out of the tools inside the box. It is funny to watch them “fix” the rocking chair or the wheels on the ride-on toy.

I am tagging:

Tara, Life, as it is

Little Kite Girl

Holly Nappi Collins, Fearless Females

Jen, Mommay’s Mayhem

Beth, Little Princess Chronicles

With joy in my heart,

Colleen