Encouragement

Older, wiser women have told me to praise my children ten times more than I correct them. But let's face it, when the days seem ordinary and you're dealing with the same discipline issues from yesterday it's much easier to focus on the negative.

Last night my husband was working late, and I was having to fight for a better attitude. I was giving my three older children a bath and holding Max. I was tired, frustrated, and was more than ready for bedtime to arrive. I asked the Lord to give me the strength to to love these children, and I was immediately convicted that I should encourage each of them. I didn't feel like it, but decided to try it anyways. I told each child some of my favorite things about them, and after I was done we all cheered for each other.

After I was done, Jack and Anna told each sibling something they loved about them. The smiles on each of their faces were priceless!

Training and correcting little ones certainly has it's place, but I hope I can remember that sometimes encouraging good behavior might be all the training my little ones need.