Partners in Parenting 11/9/15

Partners in Parenting

“Body Language usually SCREAMS!”

In doing some professional reading this past week, I read a paragraph about teachers engaging students through their body language.  Body language makes up over 50% of communication most of the time – in other words:  It SCREAMS!  I immediately thought of my own body language when talking to my kids at home.  So I came up with an idea for this week.  I will follow these rules:

1. I will not speak to any family member while looking at a screen (phone, TV, tablet, iPad, anything with a screen).  WOW, I didn’t realize how much I’d have to focus on that.  This let’s them know they have my full attention.
2. I will always look at the person I am talking to – even if I have to move into the room where they are located.  This lets them know I am truly interested.
3. I will turn my body toward any family member that is talking to me unless it isn’t necessary because we are all sitting at the table together.  This lets them know I care about what they are saying.
4. I will end all conversations with some kind of a “thank you for sharing” kind of a comment to validate the time spent in conversation.

I made the rules up, but it is taking effort to live by them.  I hope the results at the end of the week include a closer relationship and better communication with all my family members.  We will see, but I don’t think this can be a bad idea!

Family Discussion Points!

Parents - pick a rule or two or three or four to follow for the week and see what God does in your relationships.

No real discussion except to talk with your spouse and/or children about what they noticed at the end of the week.

Partners in Parenting 11/3/15

Partners in Parenting

“I realized I wasn’t alone after all!”

That title might sound like a memorable line from a horror movie, but it is a thought I had the other day.  Here’s what happened:

My family had just all left the house, and I had the place to myself.  Nobody to bother me for anything.  Peace and quiet were all mine.  I had some reading to do, but I was free to take a nap if I wanted to do that instead.  I was so thankful for the moment. UNTIL…

“Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap-tap, tap, tap-tap-tap-tap, tap, (long pause) tap, tap, tap-tap-tap, tap!’  And it was loud.  I realized I wasn’t alone after all.  I followed the sound to the kitchen to the right of our stove.  I heard an animal in the wall or ceiling tapping or biting, hitting, or doing something to try to get out.  I tried to locate the exact spot where the critter was at, but I couldn’t.  I finally went upstairs to my daughter’s bedroom.  The noise was even louder there.  I spent almost an hour trying to figure out the source of the noise.  I couldn’t do it, and I couldn’t relax any longer.  I was completely frustrated. I decided to go outside to get some work done out there and escape the maddening and repetitive noise of the house.

I walked into the garage to hear nothing but, “tap, tap, tap-tap-tap, tap, tap-tap!”

After more investigating and patiently trying to locate the source of the sound, I solved the mystery.  The source of the noise was a downy woodpecker.  That is a lot of noise from a little bird.  It was pecking a hole in the cedar on the side of the house.  It didn’t seem to mind that I was there looking at it.  I scared it away, and it hasn’t been back since.  Tonight, I have to go fill the 2 large holes with caulk.

I was a bit frustrated because I lost so much time to be alone in my house.  However, it also reminded me that I am never alone.  God is with me every moment of my life, and He always will be.  Funny that a woodpecker could annoy me so much, and in the end, make me think about God’s amazing love!

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  Deuteronomy 31:8

Family Discussion Points!

Talk about times you think or feel alone.  Are you really ever alone?

Talk about whether it makes you more brave when you realize God is always with you.

Spend some alone time with God at least once this week.  Just spend some time in silence talking to the only one around – God!