This week I am thankful for many things. That's what having a Holiday set aside for thankfulness is supposed to do. Get us thinking about the good lives we have. And we do, no matter what we are facing.
A few weeks ago, the boys were being typically challenging boys and to assist with reminding them about being respectful, I created an acrostic for RESPECT which has defintiely helped them remember. It goes like this:
R- Remember who you are...God's child and a (last name inserted)
E- Eliminate (get rid of) bad behaviors(and attitudes)...because of who you are!
S- Stop and think! (How would you feel if this situation was happening to you?)
P- Please be polite!
E- Encourage everyone! (Find good things to say to and about others!)
T- Talk with nice words only.
Just a quick overview daily with emphasis on one of the principles has upped their opinions of themselves and each other remarkably. When behavior exhibits that is contrary to respect, I simply point to our new chart and say one of the pharases, ie: "Did you forget who you are?" or "Because of who you are, you can act nicely and special now." Or "Eliminate that attitude! Remember who you are!" OR "In this home we are respectful and say nice things to each other.". etc. So far, after a little more than a week, it is working well. The boys both got a record number of stickers on their charts for the week, along with a certificate to acknowledge that feat. They feel very successful and I feel very less stressful!
Amazingly, Handsome has excelled in his reading last week, and is grasping math quite well. His attitude towards learning is very good. We have talked about how thankful we are that he is smart and has a good brain that works well. Not everyone is so fortunate. They have a second-cousin with cerebral palsy, who cannot learn the same way, so the illustration hits home.
Thankfulness is part of repect. When we can understand how blessed we are, no matter what is going on around us, when we can give thanks to God for life itself, and the air we are breathing, then we are showing respect, for God, for life, for ourselves! It is amazing to me, that scientist have shown that thankfulness brings better health. Not so much that it does, but that even though it has been proven, how quickly we forget. It is so much easier to complain and feel sorry for ourselves, apparently, than it is to rejoice in our sorrows and be thankful they aren't worse.
Well, I have done enough preaching for now... I actually have this week off from the kids, due to the other grandparents coming from Colorado to visit them, so I am off to Home Depot to rent a carpet cleaning machine. Tomorrow I tackle those pine needles outside and the kitchen deep-cleaning. And yes, I am taking time for myself. I am meeting Tuesday and Wednesday with friends for lunch, and catching up on some writing. All things to be thankful for...I CAN write, I HAVE friends, and I CAN STILL function enough to clean my carpets! Thank you, God!
If I don't blog again before, or you don't get a chance to read again...have a Blessed Thanksgiving Day and wonderful time this week! Go to a ball game...relax...have a drink! (water is best!)...bake cookies...be with friends and family...BE THANKFUL!