The past month or so I've really been focusing on disciplining myself specifically in two areas. One is daily bible reading. The other is exercise, which I've been doing every other day...but am thinking i need to bump that up even more.  As mom becomes more disciplined in these areas, she's also noticing some things in her kids that needed work.  One was lippy mouths, that sometimes I let slide because it's always done in 'fun', especially by my funny son!......but I'm thinking it's really not that funny anymore.  The other thing was the whiny/argumentative response to mom asking them to do any chores/homework/practising piano etc....  NOT acceptable.  So we've dished out some rude medicine this past weekend and all their mouths have been healed. Hallelujah.

The other thing I'm getting tough on, is the amount of time sitting on a couch watching some form of entertainment on a screen.  Today I doled out tickets (you can buy a huge roll of them at the dollar store).... 10 tickets, per week, each valued at 30 minutes of brain sucking entertainment. (video or xbox) No one is allowed to sit in front of the screen without a valid ticket.... (these are to be used mon-fri.........weekends are usually super busy anyways with church activities, and music lessons, and that is when we may watch family entertainment if we have time.) 

Frankly I don't think I'm even being strict. I'm being MORE than reasonable. My kids don't think so, but I think an hour of brain sucking activity a day is way more than enough.  This will force them to choose carefully how they want to spend their tickets.  Of course they cannot spend a ticket until all homework, reading, tutoring (Garnet) and piano practise is done. 

Next on my list....... making a list of daily chores for the kids.

Posted by Debismumto4

I pressed the random blog button and your blog came up so I thought I would post a comment to say hello from the UK
Your ticket idea is absolutely brilliant. I think I will give it a go. My kids love the TV and this is a great idea to ration it in some way and give them a sense of responsibility as well for how they spend their time.
I too need to spend more time reading my Bible and praying ( excercise whats that?????) Life often seems to busy to pray but what a bad idea is that.
Love Deb

Posted by EEEEMommy

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!

I could benefit greatly from setting some similar goals for myself and kids.

Posted by Debismumto4

Hi again
I thought I would put you on my friends list if thats ok then I won't lose where you areand I can stop by your blog again.
I hope you are having a great week and that you all have a lovely Easter.
Love Deb