Almost Getting It

As parents we're suppose to instill morals, compassion for others, and an undying love for Jesus into our children's hearts. I think I both fail and succeed at this everyday. What a responsibility...what a challenge...but what a privilege.

After years of watching my friend Christine parent her 3 little ones, I've picked up on many things from her (cause she is an excellent mommy role-model), but one of the things I love that she does is talk about "happy hearts" with her kids.

I in turn use this language on a daily basis with mine. Lincoln knows that Jesus gives him a happy heart and when his heart is grumpy, we pray and ask Jesus to give him a happy heart. Sometimes it's a process to get the happy heart, but when he does, he'll run out to you and exclaim, "Mommy! I happy now! Jesus gave me happy heart!"

He gets it. It's great because all I have to do now is ask him where his happy heart is and he gets it. This language can often snap him out of a grumpy mood or lead him quickly to the path of getting there.

Another word he gets is "Obey."

I have found that when he's testing the limits, the only word that he really understands is obey. He knows this is a serious word because he knows the consequences of not obeying. We taught him the bible verse "Children obey mommy and daddy in the Lord for this is right." We taught it back when obeying was seeming to become a big issue. So a lot of times if he's not making a good choice, we use that word, and ask him what his Bible verse says about obeying. Amazingly, this works for him.

Now, we also work on a lot of "sorrys" and "I forgive you's".

Yesterday, Lincoln pee-ed his pants three times throughout the day. He started digressing some a few days ago, so when he does this (unless it was an accident from us tickling him or something) we immediately take away something fun he is playing with/watching.
When he did it yesterday, he happened to be watching one of his Veggie Tales movies.
So I turned it off and explained to him why.
He whined some and was upset, but was able to explain back to me why I turned it off.

Then he came and sat in my lap and snuggled and goes,
"Mommy, God will help me not pee-pee my pants!"
I told him he was right and asked him if he wanted to pray and ask God for some help. He said yes...we did...then he goes:

"Mommy, God will help me not pee-pee my pants AND he will help me watch a movie!!"
Hmmm....

He said this about 3 more times, then he goes (in the sweetest, tender voice):

"Mommy, I forgive you...I forgive you for that pee-pee..."

Ha! I wanted to bust out laughing he was so cute and I appreciate the effort of him trying to piece all of this together.