My If/then charts (without the then)

I have my charts made!!! You can't possibly know how much a chart warms my heart. I LOVE lists, charts, and anything organizational!!! (Now following them is a whole different issue all together.)

We don't have the "THEN" written in yet. Chris and I still need to sit down and hash that out a little more. It will be things like no/shortened playtime with friends, no screen time (Wii, computer, TV), time out, write out the Bible verses, longer rest time, early bed time, extra chore, etc. We were also given the suggestion to laminate them and write the "Then" with a dry erase marker so that we can change the consequences when needed.

Here they are (click on the chart to see it larger):

The next step - If....Then...

One specific heart attitude that we are dealing with here is, hmmmm, how do I even put it? Some children don't see their fault in their actions. There is hardly ever a repentent heart, or change seen from a lesson learned. We, the parents, are to blame for the consequence, because we had the choice of whether to give it or not.

I have been struggling with this attitude for some time now with no improvement. The inconsistent sick weeks and months we have had have not helped at all.

Well, recently, I was reminded by a dear friend of mine about If/Then charts. I remembered hearing about these several years ago. At that time, I dismissed them. I don't remember what turned me off of them, but I just remember conciously deciding that this stragegy was not for us. Well, it is now EXACTLY for us! We don't have it in place yet, but my husband and I are in the process of writing it. Our prayer is that it will add the consistency that has been lacking. We are praying that our children will fully grasp that THEIR poor decisions require discipline, and that they would grasp THEIR responsibility in them.

Below are some links that I am using right now to help compose our chart. As soon as we have it, I will post it for you to see!

Our busy homeschool

Doorposts

Homestead Momma

Raising Arrows

Crayons In My Dryer

I'm back!!! (I hope)

Wow, what a season we have been having! It has been one thing after another! We have had many different illnesses and a couple injuries that have set us WAY back.

So, I am craving normalacy (whatever that is!)!!! We are back on schedule with just a few lessons to catch up on. School-wise, we have done pretty well keeping up with the main subjects. Some of the extra ones have had to take a break, but we are going to be adding them back in very soon.

Something that happens when we are sick is that schedules and consistency go out the window. Does that happen at your house? Emotions run high, patience runs short, and energy is just not there at all. The simplest of tasks seem overwhelming. When all the dishes, laundry, clutter, and lessons not completed start to pile up, I just want to run the other way! Hawaii, here I come!

Another area that suffers is discipline. The kids (and I) get lazy in our TV watching, laying around, no chore schedule days. It is so hard to get back up!!! I have my own immaturities and "I don't wanna's" to deal with to make the process hard enough. When the children start their whinning and complaining, it is only by Christ's strength that I even get out of bed in the morning.

So, that is right where we are now. We are not sick, but we are not well either. Our hearts have become lazy and selfish, and we no longer default to the Lord to help us in these sinful mindsets. Arguing and fighting are heard every few minutes. Discipline is emotionally delt out and inconsistent at best. UGH!!! Have you been here before?

My hope is in the Lord, though! He promises that His grace is new every morning! He promises that He will not leave me nor forsake me! He promises that He loves me and my family! He promises that He will continue to work in us! Oh, that is such balm on my soul right now! I am bathing in those promises and in that hope that comes with them! I am not alone in this! All I am called to do, is my best in what He has given me, always giving it all to Him for His glory! Wow!!!!