I have seen this show three or four times (only when DH is on travel because we don't watch TV otherwise) and I will say that while I believe the Bible has all we need for raising our children, I am a "show me" type of person and I have taken something of value from each episode. Ironically, the things I've gotten from the show are not about child rearing per se, but more about where I need to make changes.

The last episode had the father washing the family van with his two older boys while Jo-Jo observed. At first I saw nothing wrong. The father told the boys what they were all going to do, you know "a section at a time" and they weren't really doing it. The father was calmly correcting them and then Jo-Jo called him over. My mind thought, "What? They didn't listen to what he was saying." Then she tells him, "Dad, you're washing the car with your boys, they aren't your employees. Have a little fun!" Pretty soon they were squirting water and laughing and running all over and having a ball!

OUCH! Why ouch? Jo-Jo hit me in the solar plexus. In my mind I would be so focused on getting the job done and fretting over how much mud is being created and subsequently how a new load of laundry is being created and how much I can't stand being in wet clothes that I would miss a golden opportunity to lighten up, have a little fun (or possibly a lot of fun) and make a memory with my children. Having four young children that include a 4yo and an 18mo, I'm often in the "one step forward, two steps back mode". My home seems like it's never in order unless company is coming and then we're stressing out trying to get as much done as we can. If the thought of making something fun comes with the price tag of creating more work, I want out. HOWEVER, before you go thinking I'm a big complainer or some kind of drill instructor who never lets their children do anything (which is not true), I will say that the Lord has used S*uper Nanny to grant me wisdom and insight into a shortcoming of mine and I'm willing to try to change.

I'm going to still try to get down to business and tackle the things that need to be done, but I'm going to pray for the wisdom to be able to do it in a way that allows us to 1) be together; 2) have fun and 3) get the job done. I'm realizing that the reason the children can't seem to follow the simple chart that tells them what chores they are to do and they just mark it off is because it's monotonous and boring!! Yes, sometimes we all need to do things that are just that, but why not try to make it monotonous and fun!? This weekend I'm going to rework those chores into something like, "Clean Big Bathroom -- but first ride your bike around the yard twice while singing Zippety Doo Daa!" (We live in the country, so no one will hear and call social services.)

Tomorrow is supposed to be perfect weather and our van is really dirty! I can't wait!

Jennifer :)