Uh Oh Song Does the Trick

Nilda gave me permission to share this. To me, this alone was worth the effort of hosting the seminar. Glad to hear it.

"Jeff,
Just have to tell you that it did not take very long to have a successful day.  Cyme was having problems this morning and I used the Uh-Oh song on her, had to put her back in her room a couple of times but after she calmed down and had a couple of extra minutes in her room, she came out and was really sweet the rest of the day.  She did not attempt to argue, fight, whine or anything.  She was absolutely sweet the rest of the day.  I love this.
Nilda"

Giving Choices. "Do you want me to pray or sing a song?"

This Week's Challenge: Give Choices.  
Assignment: Give your child choices throughout the week, & report back here.
Quote of the day:

• "Never give a choice on an issue that might cause a problem for you or for anyone else.
• For each choice, give only two options, each of which will be OK with you.
• If the child doesn't decide in ten seconds, decide for him or her.
• Only give choices that fit with your value system." Jim Fay

My story:
Bedtime. I was thinking about one of Jim Fay's examples of bedtime choices, "Do you want water from the bathroom sink or the kitchen sink?" etc.  Great examples. But tonight I came up with some of my own. At first, they were deviant. "Do you want to ride on my back to bed or mommy's back?" Well, Stephanie didn't appreciate that. The heavier ones jumped on her back, but she made it. But my other offered choices were good: "Do you want a hug or a kiss?" "Do you want wear your pajamas or your clothes to bed?" That was Steph's question.

There are times my boys decline my bedtime prayer, or talk over my prayer. Yet I want that spiritual connection point. So I asked them. "Do you want me to pray with you or sing a song?" Jordan didn't respond, so I chose prayer for him. Joel wanted a song. He ended up with Amazing Grace. Jaron got Jesus Love Me. They all chimed in, and once or twice we actually were on pitch. By the end, Jordan figured out he wanted Shall We Gather at the River. But he'll have to wait till tomorrow night. 10 second rule. But what sweet spiritual moments.

Feel free to add your stories, questions, or comments below.

Why do I blog & encourage & prepare seminars & work & etc?

I'm preparing for the first meeting of our church for Love and Logic. Why do I do all this work? Simply because I want parents and teachers to know better how to lovingly raise responsible children. It takes tact and effort. If you lack one or both, you'll give up. And your child goes to the weeds. But if we're motivated by hope of the possibilities and love of our kids as well as equipped with phrases, strategies and knowledge, we will prevail. And enrich our children's lives. And ultimately prepare them for to live out the purpose for which God created them. That's parenting.

Welcome

I'm glad you've found this blog. It's about step by step integration of the principles we learned this weekend. If you're like me you're overloaded with too much info. And your kids will come at you too hard and fast to remember, "Oh yeah, let me express empathy for the consequences I'm about to disburse."  Sure. maybe you'll remember, "So sad."
But if we keep coming back week by week, and practice a new method, phrase, etc, we can become skilled parents. I know that for Stephanie and me, we kept listening and relistening to the cd's and prompting each other.
So welcome once again to this blog.
Please feel free below to write what you think will help you implement these strategies.
Pastor Jeff