Sick Maida

We decided to bring Maida into the doctor today. She has a double ear infection and maybe a little bronchitis. The doctor put her on some antibiotics. Hopefully she'll start feeling better soon. She is so happy though. Dr. Wittworth was surprised at how smiley Maida was, even with green slime running out her nose! Right now she's in her room playing. She loves to go in there now and play with her toys. I love that she's so independent and doesn't need me in there with her all the time. She knows which room is hers and will just go in there by herself whenever she wants. I'll find her in there playing so quietly. It's cute!

Our preacher handed this article out to the parents last night at our Bible study. I really liked it and am so thankful that he shared it with us. I love what it says, especially this part, "Behaving like a child is not in itself wrong. If a child's behavior is embarrassing, be sure you recognize who has the problem." I like this part so much because I think that it made me realize that Maida is never intentionally naughty. She is just being a kid! Anyway, I typed the article below. Hope you read it...

From the East Hill Church of Christ

September 30, 2007

THE PARENT PLAN

1. Decide to receive your child as a temporary, honored guest in your home. You child is not a permanent resident. You must not forget that. One day (and soon) you will be looking at the backs of your children as they "leave" home. It is easy to treat "company" in your home with more love, courtesy, and hospitality than your own child. You must decide to extend your best hospitality to that little child who sleeps in one of your bedrooms. Don't take that guest for granted.

2. Decide to give your child a treasured gift: a father who loves the child's mother and a mother who loves the child's father. You might be surprised how many marriages take this important decision for granted. You'd be surprised how many have never made such a decision. Consequently, many children, caught between open hostilities, are deprived of the security that comes from parents who love each other. Even in marriage where there are problems, a decision can still be made to love your child's mother/father. Isn't there something in-human about hating a child's parent before the child?

3. Decide to listen to your child every day. Give each child special time each day; even if it is only a little time. Give yourself wholly to the child in these moments. Nothing honors a child more than getting the complete attention and devotion of a parent.

4. Decide never to identify your child with mistakes or failures. A child is bigger than any mistake, no matter how many times the mistake is made. Persons make mistakes; persons aren't mistakes.

5. Decide to discipline your child in a fair and mature way. Some attempts at discipline create rebellion in a child. Some who try hardest to "make their children mind" wind up with the most disobedient children. Here are three simple guidelines to follow:

~ Be sure your requests are reasonable. Sometimes the frustrations of a parent are his/her own problems. A child is a child. Behaving like a child is not in itself wrong. If a child's behavior is embarrassing, be sure you recognise who has the problem.

~ Don't substitute threats for real discipline. Nagging is never effective. A child soon learns whether a threat carries any substance. he may even learn that undesirable behavior is the only way to get your attention.

~ Determine fair and reasonable discipline which is appropriate for the unacceptable behavior. Then, follow through.

6. Decide to apologize to your child when you have been wrong. A child is quick to forgive. And the parent who isn't afraid to admit a mistake usually rears children who know how to say, "I'm sorry."

7. Decide to give your child a basic principle or faith to live by that is large enough to support anything he will ever face, including death. This is a tough decision if you find you do not have this yourself. If you are without such a principle, finding it must become the priority of your life right now. Your own life depends on it.

You will one day send your child away with something in his hand-or more accurately-his heart. Will it be strong enough?

-Landon Saunders