Taming the Lecture Bug (A Homeschool Crew Review Post)

 I hate to nag. I really do. Nagging in general makes me twitchy. There is an ideal universe in which everybody has an appreciation for healthy civil debate. That when you speak, your ideas and thoughts are heard. And that when you ask your children to complete reasonable tasks they are performed promptly and not up for debate. 
Anybody else with me? My son, bless his heart, has conveniently developed selective hearing AND seems to think that the longer he takes to complete a task, there is a greater likelihood that I will forget I even asked him to do anything! Shew. That was quite the run-on sentence. You can tell I'm "miffed." Which is why, when the Crew had the chance to review products from Parenting Made Practical, I knew the one I needed ASAP. I received Taming the Lecture Bug and Getting Your Kids to Think (book) and Taming the Lecture Bug and Getting Your Kids to Think (DVD). 

The teaching is intended for parents with kids in the 8 and older range. I will talk a little about what you can expect with each product separately and tell you my thoughts on both. 
Taming the Lecture Bug and Getting Your Kids to Think (book) is an easy read. It contains approximately 12 chapters and is filled with encouragement and practical advice. 
The authors, Joey and Carla Link, have been ministering to families for over 20 years. Joey has youth and family ministry experience and Carla has a degree in social work. Joey is currently the Director of Family Life Resources. The Links are involved with Growing Families Int'l and have written several books. They are also parents and grandparents. 

The very first chapter of Taming the Lecture Bug opens with a story from personal experience of raising 3 kids. It also reveals the problem with "lecturing" as opposed to teaching kids personal responsibility. 
I like this quote from the book.
Your kids want you to do your thinking for them, so they can choose to agree with you and do what you say, or argue with you if they won't want to do it. 

I realized to that I have taken away some of Josiah's personal responsibility when I am not following through on my expectations for him. For example, he has certain chores he has to complete every single day. Lately, it seems like I am constantly reminding him about those responsibilities. Josiah has begun to "chose" when he does them or if he even does them at all...according to his own plans for the day.  

The book teaches parents to begin to ask simple questions, instead of giving our children a 30 minute rant. This helps our kids understand the importance of having a teachable and obedient heart. 

I really appreciate how much the Links place on "personal responsibility" in the book. It seems that this is something our society is missing.  Putting it in the context of "sin" and what Scripture says about such matters made me think a lot about how I have been responding to such behaviors. 

There is a really great example of a child who was essentially "training" his mother to take responsibility of his actions and behaviors. How often do we do that as parents? Do we constantly repeat our expectations and try to "fix" things when those expectations aren't met? Or do we allow our kids to suffer the natural consequences of being irresponsible. 

For example, I had to learn this the hard way when Josiah was on the swim team. It was a struggle to get him to check his swim bag before we left the house. Did he have his goggles? What about his suit? There were a few times that we drove all the way across town only to find out he had left his goggles on the floor to his bedroom. 

It came to the point where either he had to miss swim team practice entirely or swim without his goggles. He eventually learned. But this was hard for me! I didn't want to him to struggle or miss practice! 

Taming the Lecture Bug reconfirmed  and reminded  me of some of those hard lessons I had to learn as a parent.  And I still need to be working on. Coming to Josiah's rescue when he forgets his homework for his Graphic Arts class he is taking at the homeschool c0-op isn't doing him any favors. 

I also appreciated the information about temperaments. I read one of the recommended resources years ago when Troy and I first got married. It was so helpful! I think understanding that information made things so much easier. 

I took the book with me to the doctor's office one day. I could see other parents eyeing me with envy. I know they just wish they could get their hands on my book! Oh the secrets it would reveal for the challenging job of parenting! 

It's good stuff, my friends. 

The DVD is approximately 30 minutes. The authors share some of the main points of the book. In fact, this is going to be something Josiah and I watch together.  The expressions of some of the parents in the audience were priceless. You could see that some of the information was really hitting home! There is also a downloadable PDF containing study notes available. I am going to use it at church as part of a class. 

Both the book and DVD are excellent resources!  

Members of the Crew reviewed this and some of the other products the Links have to offer. You can connect with Parenting Made Practical via the following social media outlets. Don't forget to click on the banner below to read more reviewed. 

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A Review: Motivate Your Child Action Plan!

One of the best parenting books I have had the opportunity to read has been Motivate Your Child by Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller.  I was blessed to be a part of the Launch Team for the book. When the chance came to be part of the Motivate Your Child Action Plan team I knew that it was something I had to be a part of.

Parenting is the toughest job I’ve ever had. It is also the most precious. Let’s be honest. None of us are singularly qualified for the job. We are parenting unique, living, breathing and complicated creatures. It is a far different experience than parenting the baby dolls of my youth.

 

 

The Motivation Your Child Action Plan is a 40 plan that helps you, as the parent, develop a parenting plan. It gives you tools to tackle school performance, disrespect, laziness, procrastination, sibling conflicts and more. It emphasizes the value of relationship and how to move forward with any age child.

 

The book also comes with a link to download 12 audio sessions with the authors.

One unique aspect of the plan is that you work with your child. For example, there is time and attention placed on having meetings with your child. The purpose of those meetings is to strategize with your child how to best work on those character issues. You make the child responsible for their actions and help them confront their behavior.

 

For example, in our house Josiah and I have talked about motivation concerning his school performance. He is dyslexic and I understand that some things are harder for him. However, we have talked about being engaged and committed. Josiah and I have been making a plan that includes those virtues.

 

The workbook was so helpful when it actually came down to practical ways to make this happen. Instead of me yelling and “monologuing” about the disaster of an unfulfilled life and a mediocre education, we have come up with more of a helpful system. Josiah now has a checklist that he is supposed to manage. This helps him manage his time and helps him measure his progress.

The beauty of the Action Plan is how much it emphasizes relationship and the leading of the Holy Spirit. I like this little passage.

Too many children are raised on simple behavior modification. That approach to life trains kids to think about themselves. When parents help their children practice faith, rely on the Holy Spirit, and pay attention to the prompting of the conscience, they’re contributing to the long-term maturity and the health of their kids.

This is truly what it is all about. I want to raise a son who has a heart after God. The authors understand that we can't use a "one-size-fits-all" approach to parenting. However, by building relationship and relying on the Holy Spirit we can go far. HIS Grace is sufficient.

The Action Plan can be used alone, but I recommend purchasing the book as well. They are both valuable tools to have.

I believe right now there is a special on the Motivation Your Child Action Plan.  Head on over to the National Center for Biblical Parenting to check it out. There are many other great resources as well.

A Review: Motivate Your Child

My friends. 


The Muffin and I are far from perfect parents. Though there was a time that I thought I could be. Not that I would admit such arrogance. 

We had been married 10 years when we adopted a tiny Josiah. Troy had been a children's pastor when I first married him. Then a youth pastor and later a senior pastor. I taught kids. We had a lot of time to observe a variety of parenting mistakes. 

Some of us need to get a grip. Just being real. 

I have learned through my now 13 years of parenting. 

Here is one biggie. I don't know everything. 

My education and experience didn't prepare me for the ride. I did have the experience of having excellent parents, myself. And the older I've gotten I've come to appreciate them so much more. 

This is a tough job! 

How do I raise a son who has a heart for God? How can I teach him to be unselfish? To act with integrity? To be self-motivated. I want him to be all these things because it's who he is...not because I require it of him. 

Lately, I've come to realize that perhaps I've been a bit of enabler. Josiah is dyslexic. We've had to make quite a few adjustments and accommodations with his homeschooling. He has come to rely on me to keep him on task and on track...and, of course, this has spilled into just our every day life. 

How many times do I have to remind him to do his chores (that he is responsible for every single day)? Do I have to keep track of the swim team bag? Is it my responsibility to make sure he leaves the house with everything he needs for the library? And don't get me started about keeping on task in the mornings. 

Am I going to send him off to the great big world not knowing how to keep track of his jacket or when to change his underwear? Or am I just waiting until he gets married and I pass of the responsibility to some poor sweetheart of a girl. 


I have been blessed to be part of the launch team for a great book. I have shared bits and pieces about it on my personal Facebook page. 

It's called " Motivate Your Child: A Christian Parent's Guide to Raising Kids Who Do What They Need to Do Without Being Told." 

It's written by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller. They are part of the team that founded the National Center For Biblical Parenting. 

Here is a description:

Learn What Internal Motivation is and Howto Develop it in Your Child

You will learn:• How to build a strong conscience to strengthen internal motivation• How faith changes kids in practical, down-to-earth ways• Ways to help self-focused kids think of others• A strategy to help kids who tend to blame, rationalize, or defend •Ways to use consequences for heart change• Specific heart-based strategies to develop responsibility and initiative.

You can see why I wanted to be on this launch team. 

Already, I have found such wonderful nuggets to implement. The book is so practical.

I want to share a few things that really stuck in my heart. 

There was an example of a mom who videoed her little ones playing Wiffle ball in the backyard. When she played the video back she was astonished and dismayed at the tone of her own voice. It was harsh. She determined that she was going to become more gracious in her speech. It made me think about my own interactions with Josiah. Am I careful with my words? Am I instructing or interacting in a gracious way? Ouch! 

The beauty of "Motivating Your Child" is that it just doesn't identify a problem area. It gives me ideas, examples and scripture to get help me along the way. And trust me. I need all the help I can get. 

Another section in the book talks about building Responsibility. You should see all the bookmarked spots. Anybody else have a video game obsessed son? My husband and I don't want to see the video game controller became permanently attached to Josiah's hand. We are careful with what kinds of games he plays, but at the same time we want him to be judicious and responsible with his time. 

There is an excellent section in the book that talks just about this. We want Josiah to become internally motivated to do what's right. We are encouraged that we can help him do just that. 

I could go on and on...there are so many wonderful things in this book that I have been able to put into practice. 

Before I leave you, I want to share what I consider the heart of the matter. Being ministers, we have seen the responsibility training of spiritual training left to the church. The church's role is to "equip the saints for the work of the ministry." Our role as Christians is to preach Christ to a lost and dying world. Our role as parents is to pass along the faith. We are to live out our salvation. 

The authors spend a good portion of the book helping us understand this and they give us ideas to help us teach that practical Faith. There is even a chapter on leading your child to Christ. 

One of my favorite titles in the book is this.... "Your Home is a Discipleship Center." 

Amen! 

It's all about Jesus. And relationship. 

We am not simply here to train Josiah about how to take care of finances, do his laundry or brush his teeth. 

In the book we are also given an opportunity to take a Family Challenge. Read this.

Send your son to church - spiritually feed him for a day. 

Live it out at home-spiritually feed him for life.

Taking the Family Challenge means that we become intentional about passing our faith on to our children.  

Just this week we started to take a scripture and memorize it. We spend time every day talking about it and reflecting upon it. We talk about how we are seeing it worked out in our own lives. 

Our verse this week? 

What profits a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul. Mark 8:36

I can't recommend this book enough. 

I encourage you to check it out. 

Buy the book before January 31, 2015 and you will receive $150 MORE of great stuff. 

If you are around tonight (January 29, 2015), I encourage you to stop by the Release Party on Facebook. There is FREE housecleaning being given away! 

Wow! A Great Giveaway!

I've been a parent now for 13 years. I can tell you that sometimes I think I've gotten the hang of it.

And then....there are those times.

You know what I'm talking about. My sweet boy has now entered his Teen years. Recently, I've been digging into a great book. I hadn't even finished the 2nd chapter before I discovered practical wisdom I can apply to my relationship with Josiah.

I am blessed to be part of a team that is launching this terrific book.


To celebrate the release of Motivate Your Child: A Christian Parent's Guide to Raising Kids Who Do What They Need to Do Without Being Told,  members of the Launch Team are sharing a wonderful giveaway filled with a Go Pro Camera, $50 Mardel Gift Card, $25 Amazon Gift Card, and book bundles from both the National Center for Biblical Parenting and Thomas Nelson Publishing! Three winners will win prizes with a total value of nearly $800!

 

Here’s what you could win: 

GRAND PRIZE  ($500+ value)

Go Pro HERO3+ Silver Camera ($300 value)

HERO3+ Silver captures gorgeous, professional-quality 1080p60 video and 10MP photos at speeds of up to 10 frames per second. Built-in Wi-Fi enables you to use the GoPro App to control the camera remotely, preview shots and share your favorites on Facebook, Twitter and more. Compatible with all GoPro mounts, you can wear it or attach it to your gear for immersive POV footage of your favorite activities. It’s waterproof to 131’ (40m) and built tough for all of life’s adventures. Combined with stunning low-light performance, high-performance audio and an ultra wide-angle glass lens, HERO3+ Silver makes capturing and sharing your life easier than ever.  

NCBP Book Bundle ($115 value)

 The Christian Parenting Handbook  and Companion Guide Parenting is Heart Work God's Awesome Story Hero Training Camp Children's Curriculum

 

Thomas Nelson Book Bundle ($90 value):

The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst  Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson   Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine  All Pro Dad by Mark Merrill  The Passionate Mom by Susan Merrill 

***

FIRST PRIZE ($165 value)

$50 Mardel Gift Card

 

NCBP Book Bundle ($115 value)

The Christian Parenting Handbook  and Companion Guide Parenting is Heart Work God's Awesome Story Hero Training Camp Children's Curriculum

***

SECOND PRIZE ($115 value)

$25 Amazon Gift Card

 

Thomas Nelson Book Bundle ($90 value):

The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst  Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson   Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine  All Pro Dad by Mark Merrill  The Passionate Mom by Susan Merrill.

  To enter, use the Rafflecopter below. Giveaway dates: January 12, 2015 @12:00am ET through January 28, 2015 @ 11:59pm ET Terms and Conditions: This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.  Void where prohibited by law. Must be at least 18 years of age. This giveaway is in no away associated with Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Amazon. No purchase necessary for entry. Odds are determined by the number of entries. Selected winner will have 48 hours to respond to email notification to claim their prize or another winner will be drawn.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Book Review: Parenting Unchained!

I am excited to be a member of the “Parenting Unchained” launch team.

This is a terrific book that is not only for new parents, but seasoned folks as well.

Here is a little bit more about the book.

In Parenting Unchained – Overcoming the TenDeceptions that Shackle Christian Parents, Dr. James D. Dempsey reveals the ten most destructive lies about parenting. He writes from the heart about the way these lies infected his own parenting, and illuminates the Bible's powerful truths that counter each lie. Both Biblical and practical, each section ends with home activities to help parents take immediate steps to develop their kids' character--character that lasts when they leave home. 

The last chapters focus on the most important adjustments parents must make with teenagers to prepare them for independence. Weaving humor into strong warnings, Parenting Unchained points out the hazards that derail the parenting journey.

Here’s the honest truth. Parenting is a tough job. I also need to tell you that I spent the first 10 years of my adult life teaching other people’s children before Josiah came into our lives. I had 125 hours of Early Childhood Education under my belt as well as a decade of practical teaching experience. There were times I have looked that this child of mine and thought….”All that experience and education did not prepare me for this!” I have made my fair share of mistakes.

Parenting Unchained gets to the nitty gritty. Are you just a bit curious about some of those destructive lies Dr. Dempsey lays out in his book? I can tell you I have been guilty (or am guilty!) of more than believing one of them.

Here is an example. “You’re Capable; You Can Do This”

This is Deception #2 from Chapter Two: The Lie of Self-Reliance. How often have I relied on my own wisdom instead of God’s? The practical Home Activities at the end of the chapter were something I could really sink my teeth into. From the task of listing all of those people God has placed in your life to help you to finding a balance between “prideful self-reliance and unhealthy dependence.

This is another Deception that convicted me. God Only Cares About Rules. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Dr. Dempsey refuted this point by talking about God’s love relationship with us. Parenting in God’s Model Requires a Love Relationship.

So many times we focus on the obedience…not on the relationship.

The last few chapters really ministered to me. They all did, but Josiah turned 13 just a few weeks ago. I feel completely inadequate to parent a teen. I just don’t think I am doing it right. Where do my husband and I draw the line between sheltering him and preparing him?

Consider this deception. Life Should Be Easy. How many times have I personally fallen into that deceptive mindset…even though in my heart and circumstances I know it not to be true? This chapter (chapter 10) is entitled “Sheltered or Sent?” Dr. Dempsey encourages us to not just let our children go into the world, but to prepare them and send them. Send them a strong foundation of relationship and the unconditional love that God has shown us. And to send them out with a mental imprint of a genuine life lived before Christ. We all have a mission in this life. We are followers of Christ and we must prepare our children for this mission.

This is such a mighty call.

I can’t recommend this book enough. I know that there is something in it that will bless and challenge every Christian parent. Right now you can grab a Kindle version of the book on Amazon for only .99! Act quickly because I’m not sure how long it will be that price. However, I think it is well worth the splurge, not matter the cost.

About the Author…

Dr. James Dempsey and his wife Gail live in Austin Texas.He is a presenter and Family Ministry Consultant for National Center for Biblical Parenting. You can find out more about his ministry at D6Culture.com.

You can find Dr. Dempsey on these Social Media outlets. 

Dr. Dempsey on Facebook

Dr. Dempsey on Twitter

Parenting Unchained Pinterest Board

I Have A 10-year-old!

I'm sick. Nothing life threatening. Just enough a cold to make me feel miserable. And forget what day this is. I should be napping. Or something like that. Instead I blog.

My little guy turned 10 just a few days ago. I'm not sure if I'm ready for double digits, yet. He's worried that he won't like playing with toys for too much longer. His daddy assured him that he will always like playing with "toys," but that they will just change a little. I have to say that worries me a little bit!

We adopted Josiah when he was just 2 weeks old. Actually, we got custody of him when he was 2 weeks old and formally adopted him when he was just a little over 6 months old (after the required waiting period was over). I had struggled with infertility and some really serious health issues. I really wasn't supposed to have a baby, but I got pregnant in the summer of 2001. Big surprise! But our joy quickly turned to heartache. I lost the baby just a few months later. We also had an adoption attempt fail at the same time. We had been married for 10 years. Josiah was simply a miracle. And he's been a joy ever since.

I have several pictures of him when we got him. But as my brain is in some sort of medically included fog, I'll just share some of my favorites I had on hand.

You will have to excuse the quality of the next few pictures. They were studio pictures and these are the proofs. Still. Can you believe how gorgeous this baby is? This is just a few days after his adoption was final. He appeared in court in this outfit. I think the judge was properly impressed.

This is my favorite of his baby pictures. I think I'll go pinch Josiah's cheeks right now...just because. He might be 10, but he is still my baby.  I melt.

A little older. Still as cute as he can be. That was our miniature weenie dog, Bogey.



He's always been quite the snazzy dresser. I'm a bit worried about Josiah's current style.

Dirt has become his favorite accessory.

But he has always been his own man. boy. fella. 



He is quite creative. And very much the adventurer. And makes me laugh every day.

And everyday I am reminded how blessed Troy and I are. How wonderful this Gift is.

If my head wasn't filled with snot and I was capable of forming a proper sentence, I would tell you how adoption utterly changed my life. And how every time I see the adoption processes trivialized or marginalized or even threatened (especially in pop culture)  I wilt inside. We would do it again if the opportunity presented itself. I can't imagine my life without this boy. This wonderful, funny, smart, quirky boy.

Rebekah

Birthday Boy

My baby celebrated his 7th birthday on Thanksgiving. The prize birthday present was the suit purchased for him at JC Penney's from Ama and Papa. After we had stuffed ourselves with turkey and the like at my house we whupped it up in honor of Josiah's birthday. Papa helped Josiah adjust his suit and Ama took pictures of the birthday boy as well as the ever adoring cousins. Alexandra and Madalyn absolutely love Josiah and are enchanted with everything he does...not that I blame them. Isn't he handsome? The hat was a birthday gift from Uncle Ryan and Aunt Stephannie and the kids...It also has a matching whip...all part of an Indiana Jones outfit....which I can tell you was a big hit!

My mom bought Josiah a cookie decorating kit from Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago. We just made them. I think he actually interesting in eating the frosting rather than decorating the cookies. Who can blame a boy.

The Tooth Fairy Strikes Again

Josiah has lost two teeth in the past few weeks. The first tooth was worth 50 cents. Not much I know, but the economy has hit the tooth fairy pretty hard, too. He lost the second tooth this week. Because the tooth fairy was short on cash she wrote Josiah an IOU and enclosed a coupon for a trip to the Dollar Tree. He was pretty thrilled. He is going to be really upset with me when he founds out mom has been moonlighting as the Tooth Fairy. This is serious stuff. I was going to take a pic of the gaps in his mouth, but they aren't any. Josiah's adult teeth start growing in months ago behind his baby teeth. Instead I settled for a picture of his note from the "Tooth Fairy".

Son of a Preacher Man

I admit it. I have a deep seeded phobia that my son will grow up to be stereotypical preacher’s kid. Rotten and proud of it. For centuries, preacher’s kids have walked the fine line between perfection and hellfire and brimstone. I, myself, became a neurotic overachiever with a warped sense of humor and chip the size of a small semi-truck on my shoulder. All in all, I am one of the lucky ones. I won’t and really can’t get into my theory of why preacher’s kids have such a hard time of it. Mostly, it can be summed up in one little ditty from the eighties, “I always feel like somebody’s watching me…”
My son, bless his little heart, is well on the path of becoming one of the Rotten. He is remarkably intelligent. Beautiful beyond words. Charming. And has managed to do all the things that make me want to hide in the choir robe room for the duration of a Sunday Morning service.
For generations, young boys have discovered the thrills of wee-weeing in places other than that marvelous invention, the toilet. I have heard many tales of little fellows dropping their britches and proceed to water MeMaw’s rose bushes. I don’t know why I thought my son would be any different. First, there was the pee pee on the platform at church. One Wednesday night I had stayed home from church, laying in bed with some ailment. When Troy and Josiah came home, Josiah came into the bedroom and proudly informed me, “I went pee pee on the platform.” “Why?” I asked. “Why didn’t you go to the bathroom?” He scratched his baby soft hair and looked at me with those big dark eyes. “It was dark in there.” How could I argue with that? I wouldn’t like to tinkle in a dark room either. It became apparent however; that Josiah also used his pee pee has somewhat of a scientific experiment. One evening, at a ladies meeting, one of our little girls came and informed me that Josiah had wee-wee’ed down the floor drain in the woman’s bathroom. I found Josiah staring in amazement at the floor drain. The look on his face said it all…”What a cool place to use the potty!” A handful of paper towels and a bottle of disinfectant and a pop on his bare bottom soon dissuaded him of trying that little experiment again. Now in Josiah’s defense this happened when he was much younger. He is now a sophisticated 6-year-old.
Preacher’s kids spend hours upon hours at the church. Prayer meetings, work days, revivals…just ordinary “Dad needs to be in the office today” days. The church is our second home. I, myself a PK, am well acquainted with a bottle of pledge and how to dust a pew (work days). Josiah has learned to occupy himself, good or bad, during those times I can’t sit on him. For example, when he was littler and accompanied me to the weekly Morning Prayer meeting Josiah would flit from person to person, gathering any gum and candy he can. He played with the lights, swung imaginary golf clubs and sang to the praise music that comes through the speakers. Maybe all that praying done around him eventually rubbed off.
This week we’ve moved into a season of our lives that is oh-so-common for the pastor’s family. In the next few months we will be searching for a new position. That is the part I don’t like for my little guy. I wish we could offer him more permanency…Being a PK myself I can’t imagine how it must be to graduate from the same school you started kindergarten from. Oh well…I know God has a place for us. It’s my job not to let my uncertainty and conflict about this part of the life God has called us to affect my family.

Perfect Poptarts

I wrote this a few years ago. My little guy is now 6-years-old and in kindergarten. A few things have changed...He's potty trained at least. Some things haven't changed so much...He still loves poptarts and I am still an imperfect parent...:<)

Here is a thought. Perfection is impossible. There is a devotional in my Woman’s Devotional Bible entitled, "Happy are the Adaptable." Ain't that the truth. Most importantly, perfection in parenting is impossible. Again, "Happy Are the Adaptable." I had lofty ideas and opinions before I became a parent. My children would be obedient, well-rounded little individuals. Because of my experience as a teacher and numerous years of college I would have the skills to fill their days with unique learning opportunities. My children would eat plenty of vegetables, be potty trained at an appropriate age, share well with others and of course, be well prepared for kindergarten by age 3. HA, you say! Let me tell you about a day we had earlier this week.Early in the morning I woken up by a little face who comes into the bedroom and asks for a poptart. "There are no pop tarts Josiah. You and Daddy ate the poptarts." Josiah throws his body onto the bed in a show of disgust. "I need a poptart." “There are no poptarts, Josiah. How about cheese toast? You like cheese toast." Another dive across the bed. Is it too early for time out? Eventually we settle on peanut butter toast and chocolate milk. Josiah then proudly sits on the potty, does a tinkle and proceeds to run around the house, without the pull up...while I run after him. "Josiah, put on your pullup. Josiah stop playing with your pee pee." "It's a penis." Josiah informs me.
Later in the morning we have a visit from a Parents As Teachers Instructor. Now if I do say so myself Josiah is a smart little guys. He counts, knows his colors, and can carry on a fairly intelligent conversation...despite me. One by one toys are brought into the living room. After all, we must show off our stuff. During our visit Josiah comes out of his room waving around a pop gun that he found in the basement. "Pow Pow." He says, aiming right for the Instructors head. "Josiah," I say, "Don't point that at people. Give Mommy the gun." "Pow Pow", he says…this time aiming right at my head. The Instructor giggles and I am thankful that she herself is the mother of boys. Later in the day I sit Josiah down at the table with his bucket of crayons and a Wiggles coloring book his daddy bought him. While I am folding laundry and talking to my sister on the phone...Josiah methodically tears every page out of the coloring book. Dozens of papers line the floor of my dining room with our two boy cats and Josiah gleefully running through them like a pile of leaves.At some point I realize that I have neglected to take Josiah to the potty and he is now telling me that it is time to change his pants. So much for consistency. My mom thinks the poor guy is going to have to train himself. It's lunchtime. I fix Josiah a grilled cheese sandwich. "I want a poptart." "Baby, we don't have any poptarts. You and Daddy ate all the poptarts." "I want a poptart." "There are no poptarts, Mommy made you grilled cheese."Another dive onto the floor. Mommy digs out an Oreo cookie to appease the poptart eater.During naptime Josiah wants to watch Veggie Tales. Against the advice of every education professor I have ever had we put a television with a VCR in his room. This TV only will play movies. I put on the Veggie Tales, "Dave and the Giant Pickle". I stretch out beside him on the bed to wait until he goes to sleep. An hour later I wake up from a groggy sleep to find every toy out of the toy box and yellow play dough ground into the Rescue Hero tower.The rest of the day is more of the same. At one point he decides to pour my bottle of water on the couch to clean it off. I spend the next few hours looking like I have wet my pants. Later in the afternoon Josiah takes all of the cushions off of the couch and does cannon balls with them over the hardwood floors. He tells me that Daddy took them off. Poor Daddy. 42 years old and still playing in the couch cushions. It's time for supper. I make Chicken Alfredo and a tossed salad. "I want a poptart." "Josiah, we don't have any poptarts." Another dive onto the floor. Later, while cleaning sticky noodles out of his cup and off of the TV (don't ask) I realize that Josiah has not had a vegetable all day long.
It is later that night. Josiah has stayed up way past the appropriate hour for a two year old. He is snuggling next to me and I am reading "Good Night Moon." Josiah loves this book. We have to read it over and over and over. He leans over and kisses my shirt. "I slobbered on your shirt, Mommy." "Thank you, baby." This busy baby is growing into a thoughtful, intelligent little person. Despite the fact that we might not get a vegetable in during the day. Despite the fact that I now have a colorful mural drawn on my bedroom wall (about his height). Despite the fact that when I got him I forgot all that 125 hours of early childhood education had taught me. I am thankful that God has allowed me the experience of potty training and ground in playdough. How blessed am I? Perfection is not all that it is cracked up to be. I am the proud mother of a fun, busy, smart little boy. This little guy is doing just fine...poptarts and all.