Daily Truth: “Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
What do plays, symphonies. concerts, and children all have in common? Each need to practice multiple times before they are expected to perform.
We would never dream of going to a concert in which the performers haven’t practiced what they were going to do. Yet, how many times do we do that to our children and become frustrated when they don’t behave appropriately in different situations.
The key… practice, and practice, and practice, and practice.
You can take your children with you to the store, restaurant, another persons house, talk on the phone (still working on that one), etc and have them behave appropriately but it will require some prep work on your part.
1. Tell your children what you are going to do.
“Boys, we are going to meet a friend for breakfast. Mommy has to talk to her about stuff for Sophia’s kindergarten class.”
2. Tell your children what they are going to do.
“Now, while mommy and her friend are talking, you get to eat pancakes.”
3. Tell your children what type of behavior you expect.
“You must stay seated. You can color your paper but you may not interrupt mommy and her friend while they are talking.”
4. Remind them of the consequences if they misbehave.
“If you don’t obey, you will lose your tickets.” (I’ll explain that in another blog)
5. Remind them of the reward they will get if they do behave.
“However, if you obey you will earn a ticket.”
6. Have them repeat it back to you.
“What are you to do?”
“Eat my pancakes, color, and sit.”
“What will happen if you don’t obey?”
“I will lose my ticket.”
“What will happen if you do obey?”
“I will get a ticket.”
That incident really did happen. Were they perfect? No…but they did a very good job (even though Micah accidentally spilled his water) and they did do what I asked.
Sometimes the dress rehearsal happens at home, such as the following.
“Sophia, when someone talks to you at church what do you do?”
“Stop, look at them, and answer them.”
“Ok, let’s pretend I am Mrs.____, ‘Hello, Sophia. You look pretty in your dress.'”
(Once again, a true story…happened just yesterday.)
Every time I take the kids to the store, I park the car and we go over what is expected of them before we go in the store.
Does this take time? ABSOLUTELY! However, in the long run it is so worth it!
Friday, the kids had school off. So, we went to the zoo in the afternoon. I had a ball! It was the first time in four years that I went to the zoo without a stroller, a diaper bag, or the leashes for the little guys (gasp…I know, I readily admit that I have leashes for the little guys. You would too if you had 3 kids a total of 18 months apart). You know, they stayed close and we only had one “run off incident” which resulted in that child holding my hand for the rest of the butterfly exhibit. Their behavior didn’t happen by accident. It was going out time and time again and practicing over and over again.
This summer, I am going with my extended family to D.C. with the four kids. Nervous? A little, but I also know we are ready for this adventure. However, leashes will be in my purse…just in case.
Until next Monday,
Rebekah
