Here is a list of what I wrote down as she was speaking.
* Talk to your children with no emotion when you are disciplining (so hard!)
* Avoid getting frustrated. You don't always have to give your kids an explanation. Sometimes, "Because I said so." is enough. God doesn't always give us an explanation. He calls us to just obey.
* Get down on their level when you are talking to them...eye to eye.
* Have open conversations & REALLY listen. Nodding your head doesn't mean you agree with them all the time, it means you are listening. (LOVED this!)
* Do not speak condemnation to your kids. Come along side them.
* Pray hard for your kids. Pray with your kids, pray over your kids, pray about your kids...pray!
* You know as a mom you are over whatever situation arose when you can joke about it. You've dealt with it, disciplined, given a consequence and not held it over your kids head.
* Be hospitable to your kids friends. Open your home to their friends, even when it's not convenient. You never know what kind of positive impact you could be having.
* Your kids are always gauging your reaction when they are speaking to you. When they are being vulnerable, allow them to share. Build that trust.
*Intentionally spend time with your kids.
* Give them praise that is EARNED! (this was a biggie!)
* Speak scripture to your kids! (another biggie!)
As always, I hope everyone was able to take away at least one piece of information that could be helpful & encouraging to you. As we have all heard a million times and Susan said it again, raising our kids is a marathon, not a sprint. Let's walk along side one another as moms in support, just like we are to do with our kiddos.
Susan does have a website: www.funplaces.com
And you can also purchase her book there as well:
See everyone next Wednesday, April 24th for our next meeting!
