The Taylors

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6.

This is my new life verse. Training Merrick has been on my heart a lot lately and I think God understood. The past few church services and Mops meeting have all been about discipline and this verse being the key verse. After daycare for 4 yrs, Pediatric Nursing for 2yrs and being at the park lately I can tell you EXACTLY how I do not want Merrick to act!!! Ive dug into this verse. And during one of the many talks Ive listened to lately put a new day version on it well. Teach your child according to their bend (or the way God wired them) so when they are not in your site they will remember all that is taught and have this guidance in life. WOW! How much better put could it be?? So the next thing on my heart...what is Merrick's bend??? Or his natural wiring by God?? This kiddo is a doer! If Im sweeping so is he...If Im doing laundry so is he...If Im picking up so is he!!! So I have been trying OH SO very hard to get the same end result (listening to the instructions given) by giving the instructions according to his bend!!! He's done great!!!! God has really shown me a good way to help him learn! If I show him what I want done and make him look at me when explaining and it works. When it does not then a warning is placed and Merrick is asked if he needs to sit in his room by himself. He will usually tell me "no" and proceed w/ instructions. I was told that boys get lost in their "cloud of fun" and unless making direct eye contact they will not understand at this age. WOW! That was right on!!! I am ever so thankful for this as I want more than anything (and pray daily for) Merrick to be the best he can be as the person God has made him to be! WOW this parenting thing is hard...and no one tells you this stuff before bringing home the baby! (OPINION: Enough w/ the birthing classes--that baby will come out eventually--how about the parenting classes...these kids are OUR future!)

In one of the lectures I listened to they encouraged parents to have 3 goals that would be the ultimate outcome w/ parenting and to strive for these w/ the decisions being made for parenting on a daily basis. Lincoln and I sat down and made 3 goals for our parenting. 1-That our children would grow to love and know Jesus. 2-That they would be other oriented--respect people , conscious of other's feelings, and 3- to love to learn or do whatever they are doing w/ 110%! WOW these have really helped us too. So needless to say not only do I feel like I have a game plan but overwhelmed at the same time...God is so good to us and I can not be more thankful for this task of parenting He has given. I know that I may not do everything just perfect but w/ God by our sides I know that everything will be ok for our family!!! Thanks for listening to whats on my heart!