Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Titus' 1st Pumpkin
Tonight we went to a pumpkin patch to let Titus pick out his very first pumpkin. There was no beautiful fall foliage...and we were wearing shorts. Didn't seem quite right, but we had fun. Titus walked around, looking very serious, trying to pick up various pumpkins. When we see pumpkins in the grocery store he gets so excited and calls them balls. Maybe he was overwhelmed by the large number of pumpkins that his reaction was less than I expected. It was also past his bedtime. When we got home he didn't want to put his little pumpkin down. He kept saying "puh." I let him take it to bed and waited until he fell asleep to get it out of his crib. Even while sleeping he had quite a grip on that little pumpkin and I had to pry it out of his hand.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Parenting Classes
Steve and I just completed a 4 week series of parenting classes at church. We were presented with so much valuable information. Now it's our responsibility to put it into practice. I thought I'd go back through the study book and highlight the points that we want to remember.
Week 1 was about Relationships and Positions. The husbands relationship with God, the wife's relationship with God and the husband and wife's relationship with each other. Some things that stood out to us both from that week...
-A father's touch communicates security that every child longs for.
-He points the way to God through words and actions.
-Children need to see God through their father.
-Mom keeps her personal relationship with God a priority-otherwise she is ill equipped to handle the stress of a family.
-The husband and wife must maintain a healthy relationship to train the children properly.
-In child-centered parenting, selfishness is developed as the world revolves around and caters to the child.
Week 2 was Scheduling. We actually missed this week because Titus was sick. When reading through the lesson, these points stuck out...
-A child is continually growing toward the ultimate goal of becoming a mature, responsible adult. It is the parents' responsibility to train and teach a child through these seasons of life in order to attain the ultimate goal.
This lesson also talked about the need for a child to give up items that he turns to for security so the child does not continue an unhealthy attachment or a false sense of security. I immediately think of Titus' elephant blanket. I know he is becoming too attached to it. But to thought of taking it away...I'm not ready for that yet. The book says that children need to learn their security is in the Lord, as well as mom and dad. It goes on to say that a blanket can be cut up until it is eventually nothing. I can't do that yet. His blanket is one that I always put in his crib at night and for naps. He started taking it out of the crib and carrying it around the house. He uses it most when in nursery. He is there twice a week and always has his blanket with him for security. I started to think of it as a problem when I noticed he started to suck on it. He finds a corner or the trunk and sucks it. He often falls asleep with it so tightly between his teeth that I have to pull it out. We'll work on taking it eventually, but for now I like that he has something to comfort him when Steve and I aren't with him. And I think he is too young to "find his security in the Lord" when he's not with us.
Week 3 was Character Development. This was an excellent lesson!
-Our own actions and words should instill obedience, respect, and honor in our child
-If we don't train our child, we invite rebellion into our home. But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. (Prov. 29:15)
-You are a trainer of your child's self-control until he understands how to control himself
-The ultimate goal is for obedience to be self-generated. This will only occur over time with consistency in correction, patience, and love
-If obedience is what a child does, then respect is how he does it
-Honor is: treating people as special, doing more than what is expected, thinking of others better than yourself
We were challenged to "put the special" back in life. Not to get so busy that we forget about people!
My favorite thing from week 3 was the Phases of Life
DISCIPLINE (birth to 5yrs) Time to gain control and establish authority
TRAINING (6 to 12yrs) A time to explain the moral reason so that children will begin understanding the difference between right and wrong.
COACHING (13 to 18yrs) This is a time of transition when children are involved in the game of life. Their motivation should move from: "I don't want to get corrected" to "I want to please God and my parents."
FRIENDSHIP (18 plus) Mutual like-mindedness when the goal had been reached.
I thought those were so good! We were taught that though we as parents will jump around between them, if we correctly discipline and train during the early years we shouldn't have to go back to that so often during the later years.
Today, week 4 was Obedience and Discipline
-Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction. (Prov. 19:18)
While this lesson did touch on several things, most of it had to do with spanking. We were taught step by step how we should spank our child. It was very helpful. Steve and I have started spanking Titus a little while back, but it was good to hear from Godly people how and why we should spank.
-It is done to amend an attitude, not to punish
-It mends the heart because pain draws attention to the condition
-It is done for the child, not to the child
-It is a demonstration of parental authority, not power
-Neither the will nor the spirit of the child needs to be broken, it is the flesh that is corrupt
-Spanking should bring the child to repentance
Another point that I loved from this week was this-
We aren't to be the law, we are to point our children to God's law.
I didn't necessarily write all this for others to follow, but so that I can look back on it and remember what we learned. I'm sure I'll hold on to the workbook, but it will most likely end up in a drawer somewhere. Maybe I'll be more likely to look on here to re-read it. Steve and I are deep into disciplining and training Titus. He is a strong-willed child and a challenge to parent. Our goal and desire for parenting him is Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Week 1 was about Relationships and Positions. The husbands relationship with God, the wife's relationship with God and the husband and wife's relationship with each other. Some things that stood out to us both from that week...
-A father's touch communicates security that every child longs for.
-He points the way to God through words and actions.
-Children need to see God through their father.
-Mom keeps her personal relationship with God a priority-otherwise she is ill equipped to handle the stress of a family.
-The husband and wife must maintain a healthy relationship to train the children properly.
-In child-centered parenting, selfishness is developed as the world revolves around and caters to the child.
Week 2 was Scheduling. We actually missed this week because Titus was sick. When reading through the lesson, these points stuck out...
-A child is continually growing toward the ultimate goal of becoming a mature, responsible adult. It is the parents' responsibility to train and teach a child through these seasons of life in order to attain the ultimate goal.
This lesson also talked about the need for a child to give up items that he turns to for security so the child does not continue an unhealthy attachment or a false sense of security. I immediately think of Titus' elephant blanket. I know he is becoming too attached to it. But to thought of taking it away...I'm not ready for that yet. The book says that children need to learn their security is in the Lord, as well as mom and dad. It goes on to say that a blanket can be cut up until it is eventually nothing. I can't do that yet. His blanket is one that I always put in his crib at night and for naps. He started taking it out of the crib and carrying it around the house. He uses it most when in nursery. He is there twice a week and always has his blanket with him for security. I started to think of it as a problem when I noticed he started to suck on it. He finds a corner or the trunk and sucks it. He often falls asleep with it so tightly between his teeth that I have to pull it out. We'll work on taking it eventually, but for now I like that he has something to comfort him when Steve and I aren't with him. And I think he is too young to "find his security in the Lord" when he's not with us.
Week 3 was Character Development. This was an excellent lesson!
-Our own actions and words should instill obedience, respect, and honor in our child
-If we don't train our child, we invite rebellion into our home. But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. (Prov. 29:15)
-You are a trainer of your child's self-control until he understands how to control himself
-The ultimate goal is for obedience to be self-generated. This will only occur over time with consistency in correction, patience, and love
-If obedience is what a child does, then respect is how he does it
-Honor is: treating people as special, doing more than what is expected, thinking of others better than yourself
We were challenged to "put the special" back in life. Not to get so busy that we forget about people!
My favorite thing from week 3 was the Phases of Life
DISCIPLINE (birth to 5yrs) Time to gain control and establish authority
TRAINING (6 to 12yrs) A time to explain the moral reason so that children will begin understanding the difference between right and wrong.
COACHING (13 to 18yrs) This is a time of transition when children are involved in the game of life. Their motivation should move from: "I don't want to get corrected" to "I want to please God and my parents."
FRIENDSHIP (18 plus) Mutual like-mindedness when the goal had been reached.
I thought those were so good! We were taught that though we as parents will jump around between them, if we correctly discipline and train during the early years we shouldn't have to go back to that so often during the later years.
Today, week 4 was Obedience and Discipline
-Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction. (Prov. 19:18)
While this lesson did touch on several things, most of it had to do with spanking. We were taught step by step how we should spank our child. It was very helpful. Steve and I have started spanking Titus a little while back, but it was good to hear from Godly people how and why we should spank.
-It is done to amend an attitude, not to punish
-It mends the heart because pain draws attention to the condition
-It is done for the child, not to the child
-It is a demonstration of parental authority, not power
-Neither the will nor the spirit of the child needs to be broken, it is the flesh that is corrupt
-Spanking should bring the child to repentance
Another point that I loved from this week was this-
We aren't to be the law, we are to point our children to God's law.
I didn't necessarily write all this for others to follow, but so that I can look back on it and remember what we learned. I'm sure I'll hold on to the workbook, but it will most likely end up in a drawer somewhere. Maybe I'll be more likely to look on here to re-read it. Steve and I are deep into disciplining and training Titus. He is a strong-willed child and a challenge to parent. Our goal and desire for parenting him is Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Finally Feels Like Fall
...and it is so great! Since we got back here in mid August, it's been HOT (90's)! We finally got a break from it all. Saturday evening a cool front came through bringing the temps down to high 60's - mid 70's. We've been able to open the windows and the balcony door. I'm sitting here now, by the window, enjoying the feel of the breeze and the sound of the leaves in the wind. Titus and I even ventured out in sweatshirts this morning...not really necessary, but figured we'd fit in with everyone else. At church on Sunday morning everyone was in their fall finest...sweaters, boots, jackets, hats. It's funny to see how people react (or over-react) to a slight dip in the temps. Getting in the spirit of fall, I tried on Titus' sweater for a few quick pictures. I bought this sweater at the end of last year's winter season for $2.94! I'm just hoping it still fits him when we come home for Christmas.
Our "fall" was only here for a few days...tomorrow it's supposed to be in the 80's. :)
Our "fall" was only here for a few days...tomorrow it's supposed to be in the 80's. :)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Movie Night.
The other night we put Titus to bed and got ready to watch the movie "Marley and Me." We put Titus down and got the couch set up and made our snacks. Titus usually goes right to sleep...of course, this night he didn't. He was in his room talking...which soon turned into yelling. We probably could have ignored him, except that his bedroom is right off the living room. We caved in and let him get up and watch with us for a little while. He loves dogs right now so was very excited about the movie. He lounged on the couch eating popcorn and grapes with us. It turned into a fun family night.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Family Updates
Titus is 15 months on Thursday! Titus is all boy...running, playing with trucks, playing with his basketball hoop (he makes a basket and then claps for himself), throwing toys, hitting (we're working on that). He's been talking a lot recently. He says banana, ball, basketball, Sponge Bob Squarepants, juice, shoes...the list seems to be growing daily. Although Steve and I might be the only ones to understand most of it. :) His new favorite game is peek-a-boo. He closes his eyes and covers them with his little hands. Then he says "boo." The cutest part is how much effort he puts into the boo. He loves to run and hide beside his crib or beside our bed and wait for us to come find him. We are having so much fun with him.
Steve is finding that his perfectionism and talent in the classroom is bringing him more responsibilities. The administration has taken notice of how great a teacher he is and has been putting him in charge of more...and more...and more.
Morgan is doing well after a rough couple of days last week. October 7th was the five year mark of my brother's death. I didn't think it was going to be as tough of a day as it was.
This week is going well. Steve had off on Monday, so of course, we spent the day on the beach. Tonight after dinner we went to the pool. We had it all to ourselves and it was wonderful. Titus now enjoys just walking around the pool more than actually swimming. He watches the lizards run and picks up rocks and nuts that have fallen off the tree. He just loves being outside. The weather is still in the 90's, but is supposed to be high 80's by the end of the week. We are ready for some relief!
Steve is finding that his perfectionism and talent in the classroom is bringing him more responsibilities. The administration has taken notice of how great a teacher he is and has been putting him in charge of more...and more...and more.
Morgan is doing well after a rough couple of days last week. October 7th was the five year mark of my brother's death. I didn't think it was going to be as tough of a day as it was.
This week is going well. Steve had off on Monday, so of course, we spent the day on the beach. Tonight after dinner we went to the pool. We had it all to ourselves and it was wonderful. Titus now enjoys just walking around the pool more than actually swimming. He watches the lizards run and picks up rocks and nuts that have fallen off the tree. He just loves being outside. The weather is still in the 90's, but is supposed to be high 80's by the end of the week. We are ready for some relief!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
On the Beach...with a duck and a truck
We started off our Saturday morning on the beach. I was determined to stay longer than our usual 45 minutes to an hour. So...we loaded up on toys and snacks. A few days ago Titus found his old duck bathtub. I blew it up and let him play with it in the house. As we were walking out the door to the beach this morning, I grabbed it to take along. It worked like a charm. It's fun to see Titus re-discover his old toys and use them in a different way. He had a great time floating in his duck tub...in the ocean. The water has been amazing lately. So clear. If you look closely, on the last picture you can see a fish. I took the picture with my camera from above the water. Titus' favorite toys right now are his trucks. He got one for his birthday and loves it so much that I decided to buy him one for the beach too. He pushed it around and filled it with sand. It's fun to see him enjoying the beach so much. We ended up staying for about two hours. It felt like we were on vacation.
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