Day 7 : INFLUENCE

Today's activity had me focus on my list of five things I would like to change about how I mother my kids (the list I created on Day 1: Awake). The goal was to see if any of these things are patterns that I see in my children.

My list of five things to change:

1. Initial response to disobedience
2. Need to show more grace
3. Too much emphasis on personal time
4. One-on-one time with the kids
5. Use all circumstances to point the kids towards Jesus

I see each one of these things as areas to work on with Evie and Jackson...

• I am more than aware of the fact that their initial responses to any given situation has been learned by the people who influence them - mainly their Mama and Daddy!
• We have been focusing more intentional time directing Evie (and Jackson) towards the meaning of grace (currently reading through 'Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids With the Love Of Jesus' by Elyse Fitzpatrick - a very challenging, but worthwhile read!).
• Personal time is beneficial and definitely serves a purpose. However, many times I hurry through training up my kids in the ways of the Lord so that I can get to MY time; i.e. rushed bed-time. The kids do not struggle with wanting too much personal time, but the opposite. I would like to put more effort into teaching them that personal time is important and something we should plan into our day. They both depend WAY too much on attention and I would like them to be more secure with spending some time by themselves (this pertains to Evie more than Jackson at this point).
• Maybe if we were more intentional about one-on-one times with the kids they would be more willing to spend some time by themselves?
• We go through periods of time when Evie is obsessed with finding Jesus in everyday circumstances. Right now we are in a 'dry spell' and I would really like to focus on seeing Him everywhere myself in order to help guide these kiddos in gospel-centered living. They know the right answers, but living it intentionally is my hope. 

One thing that I want to change now: Initial response to disobedience. I chose to put some effort into this one right now because of the 'out of control' feeling I am dealing with concerning the kids and disobedience. Jackson is quickly catching on to Evie's disobedience and dealing with both of them and their attitudes is beginning to wear me into the ground. I do sense the need for much more intentional and consistent parenting. I feel this begins with my initial response to these difficult circumstances. How I react will either guide them correctly in discipline and love OR it will teach them disobedience results in emotional explosions and walking on eggshells around Mama. I am signing up for the former.

Finding Joy Blog: Day 7: Influence