Catch your kids doing something GOOD!

"Catch your kids doing something GOOD!"

 

 

 

We are always so quick to point out when our kids do something wrong or fall short of our expectations.  There is nothing wrong with that - our kids need to learn that there are standards and rules and responsibilities that need to be achieved and when they fall short, remedial action will be needed.  Remember, one of the best tips for constructive criticism is to "criticize the performance and praise the performer."    Something like, "Kasey, you are an incredible girl and you are so good to your friends, but don't you see you the way you treated your sister could hurt her feelings?" 

 

HOWEVER - we need to be just as quick (maybe even quicker) to praise our kids for their good decisions and actions.  Our kids need to know how much we appreciate it when they doing some well - and they really appreciate the praise.  When we reward good behavior and decisions as much or more than we criticize bad behavior and decisions, our kids generally respond with more good stuff.

 

And it is critical to focus on positive reinforcement in the morning.   No one wants to start the day with negativity and friction.   Starting the day with a smile, a kind word and a compliment can work wonders all day for the child and the parents.  Remember - catch your kids doing something good!

 

Love to you all,

 

S

 

LOVE ONE ANOTHER (Day 8) > > > It’s in there, somewhere!

Romans 15:14

I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.

Paul was addressing his fellow Christians in Rome and had become convinced of their goodness. Not only that, but Paul was also acknowledging that they had become “complete in knowledge” – not that they knew everything there was to know, but that they knew enough about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to live lives that were pleasing to the Lord.  Can the same be said of your family or mine?

We all have our bad moments…but we also have our good ones! There are times when my own children do and say things that break my heart, but there are also times when their words and actions are a huge blessing to our entire family. The same is true for my wife and I, too, of course. Our “good moments” should reassure all of us that the peaceful and loving family we all desire lives within us by the power of the Holy Spirit…we just have to set it loose!

Finally, we all need to work on being “complete in knowledge” by spending time as individuals and as a family studying God’s Word. Isaiah 55:11 reminds us that God’s Word never comes back empty and it always accomplishes what He wants it to. Why not take Him up on that promise? The more we do, the better off our families will be.

APPLICATION: Take a few minutes as a family to encourage one another by pointing out some good things that have happened in your home lately. Identify each other’s best traits and talk about how those can help your family on a daily basis. Finally, pray together that God would continue to fill your family with the knowledge of His Word.