Maybe I Should Read A Book On How To Solve My Problem About Reading This Book.

Today, I'm taking my cue from Gladiator, Spartacus, Ben-Hur, or any other movie where blood and soldiers were involved.


"You! Yes, you. You there in the bleachers. Third row, fifth from the left....come down here and fight me. Fight me like a man."


Okay, that may be a bit dramatic, but hey, I'm a bit dramatic.


But today I am calling out an author of a book I just finished reading. (*Let it be known that in the course of this blog rant I will not name said book. And you will not figure out what book it is because it is rather old and more than likely you haven't read it. And besides, the author is probably being held hostage in someones play room right now by a bunch of mama's who poured themselves some Sangria and are now tasering her with silly string. And laughing.)


But today I finished a book on child rearing.


This shouldn't surprise you. I read a different book on child rearing almost every week. I would be the same way if I were called tomorrow to fly on the next shuttle into space. That is how un-prepared for parenting I am.


So far I have read books on babies, toddlers, babies who take pacis, babies who won't take pacis, toddlers who scream, toddlers who cry, pre-k kids who argue like criminal defense attorneys, etc. etc.


Does it say anything to you that I own almost every book on parenting ever written and own even more spanking spoons? Does that tell you aannyytthhiinngg at all?


Before you go off half-cocked thinking that I really am that desperate for answers with my children, let me just say that "yes, yes I am." But also, I actually really like reading them. I have always liked books on marriage, families, child rearing and discipline. I find them interesting (who knows why) but I also find that I can say almost anything on those subjects now and people think I am an authority; and I use that small window to be both judgemental and condescending.


Weird. I haven't been invited to a party in a very long time.


But the book I recently finished struck a chord with me in a way that very few have. Now, let me say that it may be because I have been having some 3 year old struggles lately. And it may be because I tried to do all the lady said I should do. And it may be because my 3 year old laughed at me. Who knows. But here is the gist of the book: Teach your children about God.

Huh?

I love the Lord. I love Him dearly. And I don't really need a book to tell me that I should teach my children about God; though I am thankful for the reminder because sometimes I get really caught up in my hair. But her message is that we should discipline our children by discipling the heart of our child and that the only way to do that is to teach them how Scripture would have them act.

Well, duh!!

Trust me, on more than one occasion have I wished that Remi would act the way Scripture teaches, but then on more than one occasion I have wished that I, myself, might act more like scripture teaches. Remi and I both fail miserably at times.

My question for you all today is: Is it just me or do you momma's find yourself disciplining children based off of the situation? Or are you able to stop, think, re-adjust and then discipline your child off of what scripture would have both them and you to do?

Let me give you an example.

Today I let my children go over to see their Nonie and Poppy. Going to see Nonie and Poppy should be a privilege and my children look at it that way. They ask from the moment the sun rises if they can go see them and although I almost always want to say "yes, yes, sure, go now, run, off you go..." I hold back and let them see Nonie and Poppy after they have been good, taken a nap, etc. But once it is time to finally leave Nonie and Poppies house? GOOODDDD FOORRBBIIIDDD. It is like the taming of the shrew. You have never heard such a racket. Kicking and screaming and yelling and rending of garments. Its really quite ridiculous. So, in that moment am I supposed to let my children scream and act like complete imbeciles until I can get them inside, pull out the Bible, read to a ONE and a THREE year old what Scripture says and then ask them to explain how they might do better next time.

Tell me honestly, is that what I am supposed to do?

Because if I were to write a parenting book it would be called, "As Soon As You Have Free Hand," because as soon as I have a free hand I jerk them in the house, remind them that going to see their grandparents is a reward for good behavior and can be easily taken away and then, well, in the south we call it "kickin' butt and takin' names." And that's what I do.

You see, today's post, though it sounds all "ranty" and "in your face," really isn't. I really want to know if what this author says is just book talk, or is it a method that many of you have found to work. It sounds hard to me. It sounds time consuming and like a lot of "talk" to my children. Whereas my goal has always been to teach them about the Lord on their level, at opportune moments, making Him the focus of our home and our hearts; and hope that the discipline I instill in them is a representation of our love and duty to Him. But to think that I may be doing something wrong because I don't pull out James 2 every time my kiddos are disrespectful left me feeling both exhausted and inadequate.

Has any book or any piece of wisdom ever made you feel that way?

I'm sorry this post has been so long, but I have been wanting to get this off my chest for some time now. I'm sure some of you are turning your noses up at me right now. Perhaps you're concerned that I carry a spanking spoon with me to Home Depot, that I have Super Nanny on TiVo or that I use grandparents as a method of bribery. That's okay. But I'll be thinking of this poor author and her kids the next time I discipline mine and three minutes later we are playing, hugging and holding one another. Whereas she is still knee deep in Revelation and the explanation of the seven seals.