A Better Us

As I glance up from the blinking cursor I see my older children fighting on the love seat. They no longer just banter back and forth. It has graduated to uber ugly stage. They can’t be in the same room without a kicking, screaming, hair pulling (mostly mine!) mess that ends with them each in a separate corner before jumping back in again. This isn’t what I envisioned for my children. Yes, most of the time it is ‘harmless’, but nonetheless it bothers me.

   

I started reading “Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit” by Teri Maxwell.  Learning that in order to reach peace and harmony in schooling and in everyday life, I first have to find the peaceful, patient (which I am not) and quiet spirit within me. In turn I want to teach my children to have a servants heart that is peaceful and quiet but with unbinding passion. I have to lead by example. Trust me I am expecting no miracles and no “quick fix” but rather digging down and working through the nitty gritty ‘stuff’ in order to make my house a more peaceful one.  

No, I am not imagining my children sitting in perfect attire, cross legged, hands in lap, no fidgeting while listening to my every word. I actually laughed by writing that. The picture that comes to mind is a view of my children respecting themselves and others (surely not without flaws or fighting as I never said perfect!).

SIGH.

In other words I want to stop raising my voice (because let’s face it, it’s tiring!). I want to not just play patient but be patient. To have God lead me to be the best I can be. So in turn all of these things can pour over into my children’s lives.

Gotta start somewhere right?

Another “radical” idea we have put forth is to get rid of TV time besides in the evening. As of right now the kids wake up and watch TV. and then we get on with our day. I still think a whole movie in the morning is a bit much. We don’t have cable so any TV is either on the dvd/vhs player or from the bunny ears antenna attached to our large living room TV.  Mostly this morning time sitting in the living room is for me to sit, drink coffee, get on the computer and wake up/be lazy. This is one of the areas I hope to improve. But one step at a time!

On Another note: Tomorrow is Sophia’s checkup with the pediatric gastroenterologist. It has been  a little over 4 months! WOW.