Pondering Parenting

"He who loves him [his son] is diligent to discipline him. "Proverbs 13:22b

I've been pondering parenting a lot lately. A lot. I'm thinking about it. I'm reading about it. I'm asking parents and grandparents about it. I am seeking God about it.

Often, I feel like I am swimming against the cultural current of contemporary parenting. Anyone else ever feel like that? I grow weary of it at times. But I love my children and I promised before God and my church community that I would do my best to train them up in the ways of the Lord. The stakes are high, eternally high.

I'm reading Boundaries with Kids right now. Here are excerpts, just some of the parts that I've underlined so far.

"But one goal of parenting is to keep an eye on the future. We are raising our children to be responsible adults." p.14

"Certainly, child rearing requires many different interventions. There are times for helping, for not getting involved, or for being strict. But the real issue is this: Is what you are doing being done on purpose? Or are you doing it from reasons that you don't think about such as your own personality, childhood, need of the moment, or fears?" p.14

"Too little freedom to gain experience, and the child forever remains a child. Too much freedom and the child is in danger of hurting himself. So balancing freedom and limits becomes a major task in child rearing." p.19-20

I began this post with a scripture that I came upon tonight. God says that those who love their children are diligent to discipline them.

diligent: constant in effort

attentive and persistent in doing

done or pursued with persevering attention

So if you are on this parenting adventure like I am right now, I pray that you will be inspired, encouraged, and strengthened to express your love to your children by diligently disciplining them.

Post Post Ponderings: When I talk about discipline I am talking about redirection or focus... really discipling (same root word and all).  I hoped that readers realize that I don't mean "punishing".  That would put a whole different spin on the post and one that I certainly had not intended. :)

Thumbs up to "Temple Grandin" Movie

OK, I watched it twice and I could go back for more. It gets a big thumbs up from our house. The second time I watched it with the running commentary from the writer, director, and Ms. Grandin herself. The movie presents us with an amazing opportunity to understand the way people on the autism spectrum experience the world. "Different, not less."

I feel challenged to be a better parent, teacher, and person. What did you think?

Kissing Summer Goodbye

Oh, it is bittersweet isn't it?

I love the comfort of fall sweaters, the scent of freshly baked apple pie, and the sight of crimson or burnt orange leaves but it did seem to come early this year. The pic is from a couple of weeks ago. The boys decided to brave the chilly weather to play ball hockey. I don't imagine this is the regular street hockey uniform for August, but it's Canada - and it's always wise to layer :).

I have that same bittersweet feeling about my boys heading back to school. I'm happy to see them settle into their new classes, but I do miss them at home. I'm proud to see them grow more and more independent, but I miss them being my constant companions. I wouldn't want it any other way, but this quiet reflection does remind me to savor the season... no matter which one it is.

So goodbye summer! We'll miss you, but fall is calling. We've got leaves to rake and jump in.

50 Reasons to Celebrate

Bea and Alex Gammie just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. 50 YEARS! Isn't that awesome?

We had a great time celebrating with them this past Saturday.

Bea loved a lantern centerpiece that I had done for a ladies' tea, so we improvised. I had two lanterns and 8 tables... so our rose bowls became lanterns.

She loved them. What do you think?

 

Linked to Funky Junk Interior's Saturday Night Special

Lemons into What?

This is the prototype for wedding centerpieces that I did for some friends last month. We ended up going with two gerbs and skipping the candles since it was an outdoor wedding and I figured it would be hard to keep them lit anyway. They smelled amazing.

The Big 1-0!

10 years ago today life began... married life that is. And what a ride it has been. We've bought and built a home. We've been blessed with two wonderful boys. We've had lots of adventures and many many laughs. It has been wonderful. It has also been difficult. We've been through numerous job losses, seperation due to retraining or work away from home, miscarriage, a very sick baby, Ronald McDonald House :), baby home on O2, both of us working full time and having childcare issues, surgeries, as well as bad dreams and bad days. Likely, if I hadn't married this most kind, Christian, and hilarious man in the world TEN years ago neither of us would have had to walk through a lot of these difficult things. But would I trade it? Not for a second.

I'm ready to hold his hand for another 50 +, thanking God for him all the way.

3 hour/$5 Centerpiece

A friend called me yesterday afternoon and asked for some help decorating the rehersal dinner that she was hosting that night. So, here's what I came up with on my limited time and cash budget. (The only thing I purchased for this was the grass for the centerpieces - the rest I scrounged up).

 

Linking to Funky Junk Interior's Saturday Night Special