At your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energetic
At your worst, you are: anxious and high strung
You drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleeping
Your caffeine addiction level: high
One of my favorite
things about homeschoolblogger.com is the wealth of resource
recommendations coming from real families, real mothers, actually using
what they're writing about. And one of my favorite recent finds
is the concept of "Tomatoe Staking". I'd seen the term here and
there and finally became curious enough to invest the time in checking
out the website- www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com
Oh, what a blessing it has been. I had been
searching for some months for a little more insight, a little more
direction, a little more direct teaching about parenting- not just any
parenting- godly parenting with the intention of raising godly children
into godly young adults. We have 5
children, so far, with another due in about ten weeks. By the
standards of many (dare I say most) people out there, my children are
extremely well behaved. But the standards of many (most) people
are far below God's standards. Obviously, I see so much more of
my children than anyone else on this earth. I see their
impatience, their ingratitude at times, their lack of diligence and
thoroughness, their laziness, and a myriad of other less than perfect
qualities that are not generally on display for public viewing when
we're out and about. I thank the Lord
for each and every one of my children, so please don't take this
wrong. Things are okay here, but I have a desire for so much more
than okay. At times, I get discouraged and think that I am really
expecting way too much. Then I'll meet or read about a wonderful
family who really does seem to have a handle on that elusive thing I've
been searching for and it motivates me. Well, I've been motivated
again by all that I've read at www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com.
Right now my youngest is 18 months. She's
pretty well-behaved for her age, but there's room for
improvement. I'm working on getting her out of the church nursery
and sitting with us during services. Elizabeth's advice makes so
much sense to me! "Before I ask for a difficult feat like sitting quietly through an entire church service, I teach basic obedience."
Basic obedience... sounds simple... well, I guess it can be, the hard
part is being consistent, saying what you mean, and meaning what you
say. So that's where we're starting. We're staked and
working on basic obedience, with love and joy, not as the old harsh
taskmaster- my children want to please me when they're not put right on
the defensive from my harsh criticism. What a concept! Children
that want to please Mommy! And want to sit on my lap (a lot!) and
read little books, and get tickled and smothered with kisses... what a
joy mothering can be, right now in these young years when I think I
used to think that I was just supposed to suffer through while waiting
for the good stuff to come from older children...
My next oldest is nearing 4 ( a couple months left)
and she's been known to be a bit of a challenge, but she can be the
sweetest little thing you ever did see at times. Lord willing,
and with some more work at staking on my part those times will be most
times! My 5 1/2 year old has always been my
biggest challenge. I think she's just so much like me that she
has grated me the wrong way and I lost my joy and patience with her a
long time ago... the poor thing, no wonder she's had some rough
patches, she really has been reacting to my parenting deficiency...
and, well, it's already getting better. It's amazing how far a
few minutes knitting together can go... or even braiding hair...
My 7 year old has been pretty easy going for most of
his life. But there have been glimpses of a bit of a souring
inner attitude that I am so glad to be able to make out and nip in the
bud. He's so much fun to have around and talk to, he's a deep
thinker for such a little guy. Staking in his case will help me
keep in touch with what's going on in that little head, keep an eye on
his heart, and just become best friends. My
oldest, almost 13 at the time of this writing, has a few character
traits to work on (don't we all?!) and the bit of staking involved in
his case will give us a better opportunity to address those issues as
they come up, sometimes even before they come up, rather than waiting
until after bad habits are engrained deeper and deeper and much harder
to smooth out. Well, our journey begins, and it
begins with me. I am learning so much, there is so much I needed
to learn! There is an element of natural affection that comes
with just having a baby, I mean, they're so cute... but when the rubber
meets the road, good parenting, godly parenting doesn't come naturally,
it's work, at least it didn't come naturally for me. I'm rolling
up my sleeves and getting to work!
thanks for the link. sounds like you're doing a great job. i can't believe you only have 10 weeks left. your pregnancy has gone by so quickly (at least for me).
It doesn't come naturally for me either. And I don't have so many tomatoes to worry about. Just one. I had that site bookmarked but hadn't delved into it too much. I think I'm going to give it a good look. I can always improve and consistency is a BIG issue with me. I lack it.
You are so right about it beginning with us the parent. Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks for the link! I will have to look into it! I random blogged you and I have to say I will have to come back and read some more! You have a beautiful family! =)
Christian Love
Megan
Come Visit Us!
www.homeschoolblogger.com/MarineMama
www.homeschoolblogger.com/MarineMamaHomemakings
Hi I came by to see how you are doing (waving). Looks like everything is going well. I am amazed at how fast time flys (or is it flies). Seems like yesterday that you anounced your pregnancy.
I'll have to come back and catch up on your blog. Wanted to pop in to let you know your in my prayers =)
Blessings,
Linda<><
Thanks for commenting on my blog about the house. I love the rich history of old homes, just thinking of the different eras that have passed within the walls.
My hubby "tomatoe stakes" my 3rd child often. When he acts up (which is a lot!) he gets to be dh's shawdow. Works well at getting him under control and gives him a sense of security as well.
Jennie von Eggers
www.TimesTales.com
www.CreativeHomeschooling.com
Hi
I just found Elizabeth's site last week and have just begun tomato-staking. I'm hoping this will be the answer to my prayers for direction in godly parenting. Like yours, my children are well-behaved in most people's eyes, but I see them all the time and know their character weaknesses. Unfortunately, they've learned many of them from me and Hubby. Time for us all to improve our ways, through prayer!!
Love your blog, I'll visit again.
Cheryl
