What are some of your best tips and advice on raising kids?
I have so many, but only a few are ones I've really tried and worked at with my kids.
* One would be correction vs. discipline. I used to discipline the kids everytime they would do something wrong, as time went on I realized the need for correction rather than discipline. For example if Jeremiah asks me to get him a sandwich impolitely I used to tell him not to speak to me that way and send him to the corner. Now I will say," instead of using a mean tone, could you ask me again the proper way?" and if he does, I'll praise him and if he doesn't, than we see his heart and treat that issue accordingly with discipline.
* Obviously we know to be consistent, but how about timing??? The 1st call , the 2nd call, the 3rd call....no answer....WHAP!!! I don't do that, but I get angry if my laziness is being tested by my child's lack of cooperation. 1st time you ask, they should answer, 1st time they don't, you should assist the situation...makes for a happier mommy and kids.
* Eating properly, sleeping properly, exercising properly(esp. with boys) and doing daily tasks on a schedule helps keep the home feeling orderly and knit together. Shopping isn't half as bad with 3 kids when they aren't tired or hungry.
I could go on and on, but those are the ones I'm thinking about now...what are yours???? :)
