Train up a child...

It’s a good thing I love to read.  I’m in the middle of 5 books right now and since I find so little free time to sit down to read, it’s been a toss-up as to which book I choose.  Sometimes I choose pleasure reading (the newest Jodi Piccoult, Duck Dynasty, etc.), countless parenting, marriage, or other self-help books, or even a documentary/biography type books. 

Many times I can’t keep my eyes open long enough to finish a full chapter, so I’ll turn on the tv.  We don’t really watch normal tv any longer either.  Between Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Prime, we haven’t seen regular tv programming except for the news on the rare occasions we watch for the weather!!  Currently, I’m addicted to Super Nanny on Hulu Plus.  The woman is amazing!!  She has great advice and techniques that I’ve often used with success! 

Daniel and I have also been going through James Dobson’s study Bringing Up Boys.  We watch the videos together, and then talk about what we have seen afterwards.  It has been an incredible asset to us as we strive to raise William to be a strong man of God.  

Recently, I feel as though everything I’m reading or watching is centered on the legacy that we’re leaving with our children.  What did our parents instill in us and what are we choosing to instill in our children.  I feel a sense of urgency as I feel I am smack in the middle of the formative years with William and will be there soon with Katelyn too.  What do I want my children to be like?  What values do I want to stick with them through adulthood?  What do I want them to teach my grandchildren?

Last night, Daniel and I discussed the excellent qualities that both our parents made sure that we had.  Both of us have an incredible work ethic.  Our parents taught us to work hard regardless of what everyone else was doing.  When I started my first job, my Dad taught me when there was nothing else to do, pick up a broom and sweep.  This was so ingrained in both of us that we still have a hard time sitting down and relaxing sometimes!! 

Our parents also did their best to make sure that we love and follow Jesus.  We are both aware that the journey is rocky and we make mistakes all the time, but we know that our faith is first and foremost.  Without Him we are nothing and we have nothing.  My Dad still faithfully reads his Bible every morning as he eats breakfast.  I definitely saw this growing up and am pleased that Daniel does the same thing now.  I hope our children will see it and it will mean something to them as it did to me.

One thing neither one of us were never really taught is that it is okay to fail.  We both have memories of our parents constantly pushing us to do our very best.  While there is nothing wrong with the way our parents chose to encourage us, neither Daniel nor myself feel as though we can take risks.  We stay with what’s safe and strive to do our best with what we know.  We don’t want to take risks because we don’t want to fail.  We don’t necessarily like to try new things because of the unknown. 

As I’m reading the Duck Commander book, I am struck by the fact that they would not have what they have today without the incredible risks they took.  Both Korie & Willie Robertson write that they were raised that the things that they have are just things; if they lost it all tomorrow they would be fine.  In turn, they have raised their children the same way.  

I want my children to have these values.  Some that I will pass on to them that were taught to me by my parents and some that I don’t have that I wish I did.  

But now my question is – how?  I try telling my 3 year old things and model manners, respect, etc. to him, but how do you get them to understand the deeper issues??  Is there a book for that?? 

What values were you raised with?  What and how are you teaching your children now?