I have a day off today. I don’t look after Delaney and Jude on Mondays, and Elijah and Zeke are going to VBS all week. So, it’s just me and Noah…very nice.
I fell asleep last night smiling about how great my kids are. (Which, by the way, is how I sum up being a Mom – My days can be crazy and hectic, but by bedtime there is always something to smile about. Really…there is!) They’ve been so great in helping me look after Delaney and Jude. From Elijah reading Delaney a Winnie the Pooh book, (that’s her favorite) to Zeke giving Delaney a hug and a kiss when she gets a boo-boo, and even to Noah being entertained instead of jealous when I’m holding Jude. (He really thinks it’s funny!) They’re just the best!
Of course, I must tell you about the “incentive program” that I’ve come up with to encourage Elijah and Zeke to help out – for every day that they choose to help, they can each earn five dollars. (Now I think perhaps this is too high a wage, but once it was set I couldn’t change it!). So far this has been great; a simple question from me – “Elijah and/or Zeke, is that being helpful?” – is all it takes to make them stop and think, and I’m amazed at how often they choose the better way. And not only is this a good way to teach them to have responsibility, we also had a great discussion over the weekend about money, tithing, saving and how the Lord provides all of our needs.
So…what started out as a job for me to provide some extra income for our family, has become a little “Summer School” for my two older boys! Awesome!
P.S. I really must post some photos of the Willcock kids. They’re so cute – they rival my own kids in their good looks!
Janet, what an awesome mum you are! What a great way to do the necessary character training that all children need. How blessed I am to have two such great “extra” daughters as you and Renee.
Thank you!
Yes, I’m realizing more and more how much children need (and want) to be taught right from wrong. For some reason I came into parenting with the idea that my children should automatically know how to behave (very flawed!)… probably because when I was a child I was just too shy and quiet to test situations like they do – I thought they would be like me! (Boy, was I wrong!)Â This is sometimes difficult, but I must remind myself to be thankful for their personalities… for their personalities really do provide many oportunities for training!
Thanks for wishing us Happy Canada Day. It is fun to have Melanie home, Andrew & Buddy & Brooke were up for supper tonight. Yesterday, there was a ball game in Rexton and Melanie had a chance to play on the Lawson team, it was a great way for her to get to see everyone and a fun way to spend Canada Day in a small town. So nice to see all of you together in a family picture. Janet you are an awesome Mom! I love the way you teach your children! Have a Happy 4th of July!