Be Intentional.

Chapter four from Revolutionary Parenting is my favorite chapter because we move from talking into action ideas. And we specifically look at goal setting which I am a fan of!!!

Barna says “Revolutionary Parents set tangible and measureable parenting goals and hold themselves accountable.”  He also encourages us to assess them EACH DAY.

What went right, what went wrong, 

and how would you make changes?

My husband and I keep a prayer journal that we visit each night before he heads to bed. We write out each others prayers requests and then pray over them. We have decided this would also be a great place to assess our parenting day. So for example last night I said “We had a great morning, we had a rough ride home from school because the kids were fighting over stuff, we had a great dinner time, I was consistent in putting A in time out when she was throwing a temper tantrum, R asked to read the Bible, He re-told me the story from church, he practiced his memory verse, he led prayers at dinner and bedtime. “ The growth area for me would be the ride home. What could I do differently to help them not fight?

I like having a place to process out loud with Eric how the day went. It helps me to not feel so alone in the parenting that goes on while he is at work.

Barna also bring up a great point when he says “because each youngster is unique, the parenting responses must be unique as well.”

As parents we must get to know each child for who God created them to be and parent based on how God has wired them. This can be a challenge when everything you learned with your first isn’t working with your second.  From the stories in this book it makes it seem like you go through trial and error till you find what works. I know I am experiencing this with my daughter. She responds very differently than my son did to discipline.

The next part of this chapter encourages us as parents to shift our focus from teaching our kids their ABC’s and 123’s to godly character.  It goes on to provide a list of what it calls critical character qualities. See below.

In the workbook it challenges parents to pick out qualities you feel your child excels in. Talk about those as a couple. And then select one quality you would like to work on over the next year. 

For my son we picked perseverance and my daughter stability. It then challenges you to find a kid friendly Bible verse and Bible story to match this quality. These tools become your helper. And you know I love helpers!!!

I would highly encourage you to participate in this activity. We have loved being able to draw upon stories of the Bible when my son says “I can’t”.

Honestly, this chapter is jam packed with goodness. Have you bought the book yet? You really should.

Mama Helpers for April 15th