Child Training

Our Goals for Discipling Elianna

because we have only ONE opportunity to do it right the first time!

1. Put our marriage FIRST!
   We either read it or had someone tell us that many parents make the mistake of putting their children's needs before their marriage. That really struck a cord with us because it is so easy to do! For example: "Honey, Sally has a recital tonight, Robby has a game Monday, there's Bible study Wednesday, and we're having company over on Friday night...I really don't have time to have lunch with you today." That is putting your children before your marriage. The result? Overtired Mom and a job-oriented Dad...which is where many broken marriages start. What would be better than the best education or the greatest music lessons in the state is for Elianna to see her Daddy kiss her Mommy every morning before he leaves for work, and for her Mommy to greet her Daddy with hugs and kisses when he returns home.
   
   
2. Pray for her on a daily basis
   Her salvation
   Her future
   
   
3. Read to her
   Ben usually reads the Bible to us in the mornings, and Elianna sits on my lap soaking it all in! Elianna also received a wonderful character training book from her Grandma for Christmas that I've enjoyed reading to her.
   


4. Talk to her about the Lord and show her HIS creation.
   For example, rather than saying "Look at the pretty butterfly, Ella!" I could say, "Look at the pretty butterfly God has created for us, Ella!"
   


5. Verbalize spoken blessings to her
   "Elianna, may the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and give you peace."
   


6. Sing & Play Music to her
   One of my favorite things to do with her while changing her diaper is sing to her! I try not to sing songs that have no meaning, but rather sing songs that contain portions of Scripture or that speak truth. Once in a while we will also turn on the CD player during her bed time and play soft lullabies to her. Twila Paris has produced a wonderful lullaby CD! Oh and most recently, Elianna loves when her Daddy plays his dobro!



7. Live by Example
   You've heard it said, "Character is more caught than taught." Let us as parents repent daily and walk in truth with a pure heart. Love must flow from us; without love all our training, discipline and lectures are for naught. Know God if our children are to know him. Love God if our children are to love him. Repent if our children are to repent. And walk as we would have our children walk.



8. In Love, use the rod
   Praise her for good and correct her for wrong - and be consistent!! Train her to obey the first time. Say no to her flesh when she cannot (spankings). Teach her to hate evil and cling to what is good. "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame (Proverbs 29:15)." "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him (Proverbs 22:15)."



9. Be willing to Do Hard Things
   -Rise early to spend time together before work
   -Live within our means and stay out of debt
   -Homeschool
   -Allow God to bless us with children

All by GOD's grace; we are nothing in ourselves! - John 15:5