As a teacher I taught kindergarten. This was my favorite age for many reasons. One of these reasons was everything about school at this age is so new and exciting. Another is you have the chance to influence a child's ideas about school.
Almost every child (even those fearful of leaving their parents) come to kindergarten with a sense of awe and excitement. They love getting to use their new "big kid" school stuff. They have a little cubbie all their own with their very own name on it spelled out on a colorful sticker. They get to sit at a table with new friends. They get to learn so many new things. They even get to take their money and pay for their own food all by themselves (or punch in their "secret code" to pay for it). They get to walk down the colorful hallways with their friends to new and exciting places. Everything is an adventure.
But so many kids also come to find there is a big problem with kindergarten.
We are all sinful creatures, even those precious little five-year-olds. Any parent can see this is true, whether they want to admit it or not. Children, in their sinful hearts, wish to resist authority. They do not like someone telling them what to do. We are all self-serving creatures who would rather have our own way. Here lies the problem.
See, when one adult is in charge of the education and well-being of 16-22 five-year-olds there are certain standards that must be complied with. A teacher does not have the luxury (as many parents think they do) of letting their class do whatever they want. Imagine walking into a classroom of 20 kids doing whatever they wanted! None of us would have an education if this were the case. Teachers are not just mean and want the children to have a bad time at school. They give rules and carry through with consequences because they care about the education of their class.
You may say, this is true of all teachers so why single out kindergarten. Because this first year of school is unique in this, many children come to school and this is their first encounter of someone who will carry through with the consequences if rules are broken. And so the clash begins. Believe me I've seen it!
So many children today come from homes where the parents do not believe this important fact: YOU ARE IN CHARGE. Of course most parents have rules, but most children quickly learn rules are to be broken.
Here is an example from the book: It begins so innocently with a mother who has fixed oatmeal for her child for breakfast. The child says "I don't want oatmeal!" Instead of the mother saying, "Sweetheart, this is what I've made for you today because it is good for you and will help you grow. Maybe we can have something you like better tomorrow, but today we are having oatmeal," she asks the child "Well, what would you like dear?" and pours the oatmeal down the drain and starts over.
Now, this seems at first glance innocent and like a caring mother. What mom doesn't want their children to be happy? But over time what does it teach the child? I make the decisions, as Tripp says, "the parent only suggests the options." This is not saying that the child can never make a decision. But you see the difference here. You know what is best and it is our responsibility as parents to be the authority.
This is such a great quote from the book "Being a parent means working on God's behalf to provide direction for your children." God has given parents the responsibility of raising the child, not as the parents see best, but as He instructs in his Word. He has given us the authority to act as an ambassador of himself. We are God's agents and should act like it! When we hold our children to God's standards we are teaching them about God's holiness and our own depravity. (more on this later)
With this authority, however, comes great responsibility. We must carry out God's agenda and not our own! Dr. Tripp points out that we discipline our children because they have sinned against God, not against us. Therefore, we should be able to point out the specific sin they have committed.
This means as parents we cannot bully our children to do whatever we want, there should be a Biblical reason they are being disciplined. For example, if your child is watching a program on TV it is not okay to come up to the child and take the remote because your favorite show is on, then when they do not obey you discipline them. However, if you feel that they have been watching TV for long enough you do have the right to tell them, "Sweetie, that is enough television for now, why don't you go outside, we could play a game, or we could read a book," etc. Not that you can point to a verse that says Thou shalt not watch TV :) . However, the idea of being lazy is discussed countless times throughout scripture. Just take a look at Proverbs. And this kind of instruction should demand obedience, just as God demands our obedience.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Dyslexia and Cooking Don't Mix . . . Usually
I suffer from a learning disability called Dyslexia. (By the way, why would you spell something that way to describe people who already have enough problems spelling as it is?) Anyway, I never understood why I had so much trouble reading and spelling growing up, until my sister Tori came along, who also has this LD. Something in our brains don't connect like other people and in the process of reading we get a lot of things crossed. Which means we have to read and re-read things over and over many times.
In a book you can often catch this because the way you have just read something makes no sense. So you tell yourself you better go back and start over. However, in cooking there are not always these catches. If I am going to follow a recipe I will usually read it 10-20 times before I am done. I read it a time or two to begin with, then I have to re-read it several times with each ingredient. I have learned I must do this because of cooking fiascos in the past.
For example, when I was about 14 I decided to make brownies from scratch, all by myself. I followed the recipe word for word (or so I thought). When I took the brownies out of the oven they were still flat on the pan and very, very chewy. My mother went through the recipe with me step by step making sure that I didn't leave anything out. When she came to flour the light bulb went off, that is what I left out. A dyslexics brain, unbenoxt to the person will skip over information. My brain skipped over the part that said flour. :) Most of the time when my dyslexia gets in the way of my cooking it turns out like the above story, which is why I try to be a very careful reader.
A few weeks ago I posted a Paula Deen spinach-artichoke dip recipe that I had tried for July 4th weekend. I was making it again today and since it was so easy I remembered exactly what I had done a few weeks ago. However, I had the recipe out for reference just to make sure I didn't leave anything out. As I was making the dip I realized that my dyslexia had kicked in again, but this time I think it was for the better. The recipe that I posted was copied and pasted from the website so it is not exactly what I did. Apparently I thought that the recipe called for:
1 package spinach
2 cans artichoke
1 cup mayo
1 cup sour cream
2 cups Parmesan cheese
2 cups pepper jack cheese
So pretty much I doubled all of the fattening good ingredients and left the veggies the same. No wonder it was so good! In case you are wanting to try this recipe I just wanted to let you know what I actually did. (I think I ended up adding more like 2 1/2 or 3 cups of the cheeses because I thought I would throw in a little extra, turns out it was a lot extra!)
In a book you can often catch this because the way you have just read something makes no sense. So you tell yourself you better go back and start over. However, in cooking there are not always these catches. If I am going to follow a recipe I will usually read it 10-20 times before I am done. I read it a time or two to begin with, then I have to re-read it several times with each ingredient. I have learned I must do this because of cooking fiascos in the past.
For example, when I was about 14 I decided to make brownies from scratch, all by myself. I followed the recipe word for word (or so I thought). When I took the brownies out of the oven they were still flat on the pan and very, very chewy. My mother went through the recipe with me step by step making sure that I didn't leave anything out. When she came to flour the light bulb went off, that is what I left out. A dyslexics brain, unbenoxt to the person will skip over information. My brain skipped over the part that said flour. :) Most of the time when my dyslexia gets in the way of my cooking it turns out like the above story, which is why I try to be a very careful reader.
A few weeks ago I posted a Paula Deen spinach-artichoke dip recipe that I had tried for July 4th weekend. I was making it again today and since it was so easy I remembered exactly what I had done a few weeks ago. However, I had the recipe out for reference just to make sure I didn't leave anything out. As I was making the dip I realized that my dyslexia had kicked in again, but this time I think it was for the better. The recipe that I posted was copied and pasted from the website so it is not exactly what I did. Apparently I thought that the recipe called for:
1 package spinach
2 cans artichoke
1 cup mayo
1 cup sour cream
2 cups Parmesan cheese
2 cups pepper jack cheese
So pretty much I doubled all of the fattening good ingredients and left the veggies the same. No wonder it was so good! In case you are wanting to try this recipe I just wanted to let you know what I actually did. (I think I ended up adding more like 2 1/2 or 3 cups of the cheeses because I thought I would throw in a little extra, turns out it was a lot extra!)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Shepherding a Child's Heart
I think that one of the biggest reason's God allowed me to work in education as well as children's ministry was to prepare me for being a parent. I have learned so many valuable lessons over the past five or six years of working with children! I am thankful not only for the practical training "in the field" with other people's children, but the opportunity to study children "intellectually" as well. What I mean by that is I love to read about subjects that I am passionate about.
The Lord has brought me in contact with many great books about child-rearing, especially while I was working at Trinity Pres. I have been able to read a few of them. Now, I am not a firm advocate of parenting self-help books. I think that the only self-help book we need for parenting, or anything else for that matter, is the Word of God. He is the ONLY authority on any subject, and we should earnestly and prayerfully seek His wisdom in whatever we are doing.
However, I have greatly benefited from several books written not as self-help or five step programs but as reminders that our parenting should be saturated in the Word and in honoring our heavenly Father. I may discuss some more of these in detail later (I need to re-read a few now that I am actually a parent). But I would like to make several posts concerning Tedd Tripp's book Shepherding a Child's Heart.
This book has been on my "To Read" list for some time now. I have read several excerpts from it at times, but I decided yesterday it was time to read the whole book. First, if you are interested in reading it I would HIGHLY recommend it so far. (A good portion of my book is now yellow from my colored pencil marks.) I am not the fastest of readers (okay I am a pretty slow reader), and I have read about half of it in 24 hours.
Usually to accomplish a feat like that I would have to read for a good bit of the day (and it is not a large book). However, it is a very easy and quick read, which is great when entertaining a six month old. I have only read while Sterling is asleep, so if I can do it you can too!
With that said, Dr. Tripp has a great way of putting in words what my spirit has been telling me for some time, our culture's idea of parenting is drastically different than God's command to parents.
I would like to post some thoughts I have had while reading the book. This is a good way for me to process what I read so if you are interested feel free to keep reading. I will not get to all of it today, so more to come.
The title and theme of the book is about shepherding a child, training a child in righteousness, not for the sake of well behaved children, but for the sake of God's glory. The first chapter of Tripp's book is called Getting to the Heart of Behavior.
This chapter is truly the thesis statement and foundation for the rest of the book. Parenting is not about having well behaved children to function in society. It is not about having children who are wealthy, well-rounded, beautiful, loved, or even saved.
When our ultimate goal for our children that they would be one of the above things or a host of others, our means to that end is correcting behavior that does not fit into that goal (or it could be the other extreme, our goal is that our kids are just themselves, in which we let them follow whatever whim they may have at the moment). We spend our lives trying to get our children's actions to fit into whatever spoken or unspoken goals we may have for them.
However, as Christian parents our goals for our children should be as Tripp states from the Westminster Shorter Catechism: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This is our chief end as believers and should be our desire for our children as well.
If our goal in parenting is that our children would glorify our Father in heaven and enjoy Him forever, our parenting would look a lot different than those around us. If this is our goal for our children we cannot look to the world for advice on parenting. We cannot look at the latest trends in parenting, Dr. Phil, Supernanny, or even our children's teachers. We must look to the Word of God alone!
This does not mean that we cannot and should not share with one another and encourage other believers along the way. However, it does mean that everything that we do as parents must first be weighed against the Scripture.
This puts a great deal of responsibility on us as parents to be in fellowship with our Father and to know His Word (very convicting as well). This is what we are instructed to do in Deuteronomy 6:7 "You shall teach [the words of the Lord] diligently to your children, and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
As parents we are commanded to teach our children the commands of the Lord and to discipline them when they do not obey them (Proverbs 23). But more on that later, this is enough for today.
The Lord has brought me in contact with many great books about child-rearing, especially while I was working at Trinity Pres. I have been able to read a few of them. Now, I am not a firm advocate of parenting self-help books. I think that the only self-help book we need for parenting, or anything else for that matter, is the Word of God. He is the ONLY authority on any subject, and we should earnestly and prayerfully seek His wisdom in whatever we are doing.
However, I have greatly benefited from several books written not as self-help or five step programs but as reminders that our parenting should be saturated in the Word and in honoring our heavenly Father. I may discuss some more of these in detail later (I need to re-read a few now that I am actually a parent). But I would like to make several posts concerning Tedd Tripp's book Shepherding a Child's Heart.
This book has been on my "To Read" list for some time now. I have read several excerpts from it at times, but I decided yesterday it was time to read the whole book. First, if you are interested in reading it I would HIGHLY recommend it so far. (A good portion of my book is now yellow from my colored pencil marks.) I am not the fastest of readers (okay I am a pretty slow reader), and I have read about half of it in 24 hours.
Usually to accomplish a feat like that I would have to read for a good bit of the day (and it is not a large book). However, it is a very easy and quick read, which is great when entertaining a six month old. I have only read while Sterling is asleep, so if I can do it you can too!
With that said, Dr. Tripp has a great way of putting in words what my spirit has been telling me for some time, our culture's idea of parenting is drastically different than God's command to parents.
I would like to post some thoughts I have had while reading the book. This is a good way for me to process what I read so if you are interested feel free to keep reading. I will not get to all of it today, so more to come.
The title and theme of the book is about shepherding a child, training a child in righteousness, not for the sake of well behaved children, but for the sake of God's glory. The first chapter of Tripp's book is called Getting to the Heart of Behavior.
This chapter is truly the thesis statement and foundation for the rest of the book. Parenting is not about having well behaved children to function in society. It is not about having children who are wealthy, well-rounded, beautiful, loved, or even saved.
When our ultimate goal for our children that they would be one of the above things or a host of others, our means to that end is correcting behavior that does not fit into that goal (or it could be the other extreme, our goal is that our kids are just themselves, in which we let them follow whatever whim they may have at the moment). We spend our lives trying to get our children's actions to fit into whatever spoken or unspoken goals we may have for them.
However, as Christian parents our goals for our children should be as Tripp states from the Westminster Shorter Catechism: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This is our chief end as believers and should be our desire for our children as well.
If our goal in parenting is that our children would glorify our Father in heaven and enjoy Him forever, our parenting would look a lot different than those around us. If this is our goal for our children we cannot look to the world for advice on parenting. We cannot look at the latest trends in parenting, Dr. Phil, Supernanny, or even our children's teachers. We must look to the Word of God alone!
This does not mean that we cannot and should not share with one another and encourage other believers along the way. However, it does mean that everything that we do as parents must first be weighed against the Scripture.
This puts a great deal of responsibility on us as parents to be in fellowship with our Father and to know His Word (very convicting as well). This is what we are instructed to do in Deuteronomy 6:7 "You shall teach [the words of the Lord] diligently to your children, and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
As parents we are commanded to teach our children the commands of the Lord and to discipline them when they do not obey them (Proverbs 23). But more on that later, this is enough for today.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Favorite Things Fridays
I have several things to update over the next few days. Alex and I have both been recovering from strep-throat this week so I haven't been up to much. We are just hoping Sterling escaped it. However, he is my child and I am VERY susceptible to strep. I got it at least once a year growing up, and I had it around his age as well because I had scarlet fever when I was very young (for all of you luck folks who didn't really have to deal with strep as kids, scarlet fever develops from untreated strep). So we are keeping a close eye on him, and thankfully our pediatrician is open on the weekend.
So, on to Favorite Things. Harry Potter. Alex and I read the Harry Potter series a few years ago (right before book seven came out), and we love Harry. J.K. Rowling is such a wonderful writer and sucks you into her make-believe world from page one. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is by far my favorite book of the series, so we were very excited to go see the movie this week. I drugged myself with Tylenol and Advil all day Wednesday so that I would feel up to going see the movie that night. And it was very good. Of course like all movies the book is by far better than the movie. I'm not even sure how you can understand what is going on in the last few HP movies without reading the books. But it was still very good. Do I wish that they had stuck to the book a little more closely, yes. Do I wish the movie was a little longer, yes. Even so, it was a great movie! I will have to watch it a time or two more, but it could be my favorite movie of the series as well.
So, on to Favorite Things. Harry Potter. Alex and I read the Harry Potter series a few years ago (right before book seven came out), and we love Harry. J.K. Rowling is such a wonderful writer and sucks you into her make-believe world from page one. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is by far my favorite book of the series, so we were very excited to go see the movie this week. I drugged myself with Tylenol and Advil all day Wednesday so that I would feel up to going see the movie that night. And it was very good. Of course like all movies the book is by far better than the movie. I'm not even sure how you can understand what is going on in the last few HP movies without reading the books. But it was still very good. Do I wish that they had stuck to the book a little more closely, yes. Do I wish the movie was a little longer, yes. Even so, it was a great movie! I will have to watch it a time or two more, but it could be my favorite movie of the series as well.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Favorite Things Fridays
I was watching Paula Deen last week and she made a spinach and artichoke dip that looked amazing. Since this is one of my favorite appetizers I decided to make it for the Fourth. Well as usual Paula did not disappoint! The dip was better than I imagined. Here is the recipe courtesy of Paula Deen and Food Network
Ingredients
- 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
- 2 (13 3/4-ounce) cans artichoke hearts
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 cup grated pepper jack cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a casserole dish with nonstick spray.
Heat the spinach in a microwave oven on high for 5 minutes and squeeze dry. Drain the artichoke hearts and coarsely chop in a food processor.
Combine all the ingredients except the jack cheese in a large bowl. Stir well. Scrape into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the jack cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes. Transfer to a chafing dish and keep warm over a low flame. Serve with bagel chips.
On the show Paula baked the dip in a deep cast iron skillet. Since I had one I used it instead of a casserole dish. Also I had some left over feta cheese so I added that along with the Parmesan.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Doctor's Visit
Sterling had his six month appointment today. He weighed in at 20lbs 12oz and 27 1/4 inches. That is the 89th and 82nd percentiles respectively. He is a BIG boy! He did so well with his shots too and didn't even cry with the first one. (Although he screamed when the doctor was talking with me, which is completely out of character for him.) He is doing really well with solids, obviously he LOVES to eat. He is eating cereal and a fruit or a veggie once a day, and we are about to have solids for lunch too. If we are eating anything around him, he watches us intently with his mouth open. He has also started sitting and can sit steadily for a few minutes. He's just growing so fast.
Sterling and Tripp at the lake. Tripp was making Sterling laugh so hard! They were so cute together.
Sterling and Tripp at the lake. Tripp was making Sterling laugh so hard! They were so cute together.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sterling is Six Months
I can't believe that Sterling turns six months today. He is growing so fast! Alex and I feel so blessed to be his parents. I am amazed everyday that I have been given such a gift.
Happy Fourth!
Sterling and I had a great time at the lake this weekend celebrating our country's independence. Alex is currently in Mexico with the students on a mission trip, while Sterling and I are enjoying the week with my family in Sylacauga. Here are some pictures from this weekend.
Mommy and Sterling
Giving KiKi kisses
First time in the lake, I love the water!
I'm a good floater too!
Cousin Tripp showing Sterling how to swim.
Talking to Daddy in Mexico!
Floating all by myself
Sterling and Pop
Sterling and Aunt Hillary
Driving Pop's boat
Happy Birthday USA!
Mommy and Sterling
Giving KiKi kisses
First time in the lake, I love the water!
I'm a good floater too!
Cousin Tripp showing Sterling how to swim.
Talking to Daddy in Mexico!
Floating all by myself
Sterling and Pop
Sterling and Aunt Hillary
Driving Pop's boat
Happy Birthday USA!
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