In case you missed the meeting, here are some highlights
from Nancy Davies’ talk about parenting.
Parenting with your spouse:
-Talk away from the kids
-Ask about your spouse’s family history (where they developed
their ideas about parenting)
-Make a plan together (you need to back each other up!)
-Read a book together (suggestion: Parenting with Love andLogic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay)
-Remember: you can’t do it right every time...it’s a
process!
Kids and Electronics:
-They don’t need them, although it is impossible to
completely avoid
-Experts say no screen time until age 5, but limiting screen
time is also helpful (suggestion: one 30 min. show per day)
-Kids mimic parents: monitor yourself and your kids
Potty Training:
-Try it. If it’s not working, try again later
-Don’t get stuck on a certain age
-Give yourself grace
-Give your child time
Bed Time:
-Different kids need different amounts of sleep
-Give them choices
-Consistency and routine are key
-Don’t interact with them too much if they wake during the
night
-Be matter-of-fact about bedtime. It’s about control!
-Suggestion: put a sleeping bag on the floor beside your bed
if older children come in during the night
What to do when you’ve had enough:
-Go somewhere
-Put baby in bed and take a mom time out
-Turn on TV or take a Pinterest break
-Give up on chores and just play with the kids
-Anticipate dad coming home as a “reset button”
Discipline:
-Ignore tantrums
-Respond calmly/matter-of-factly
-Use natural/logical consequences (ex: if child doesn’t want
to wear a coat, allow them to feel how cold it is without one)
-Children want control: give them choices and control within
reason
Helping kids to be grateful:
-Model gratefulness
-Have cereal for dinner instead of an elaborate meal
-Serve with young children
-Explain that 90+% of the world is worse off than we are
Faith development:
-We all choose to follow Jesus. If you model faithfulness,
they likely will join you
-Mom is the biggest influencer of kids’ spiritual
development
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