Sun June 28th

One of the talks in church had a very interesting story from president Oaks daughter. She said that when she was young her dad used to constantly tell her to pick up after herself. Then one dad President Oaks got the impression that if he didn't stop constantly nagging his daughter, their future relationship would suffer. President Oaks decided that he was going to work on showing more love instead of only looking at the negative things.  The daughter said she didn't notice an immediate change but over time he stopped nagging and let those little messes go. 

I thought that story was interesting because I've been thinking I need to figure out how to teach my kids to work and I also need to stop yelling. I've been getting so mad when they make random messes and don't clean them up. 

I think this story shows that the most important thing we can show our children is love. Yes we need to have high expectations for them but most importantly we need to love them and they need to know it.  Okay I need to change my anger level. I think it stems from my lack of sleep but that is no excuse. I need to stop getting so upset about the little things that don't really matter. It's much more important to have a good relationship with your kids then to yell at  them to get them to do what you want them to do. There's no controlling children. That's one thing you learn pretty quick as a parent. No matter how hard you try to control them it is not possible. And controlling is not Heavenly Father's way and we want to be like Him don't we?

Still I do want my children to learn how to work. It sure is hard being a parent. You want so many great things for your children but you don't really know how to get them to happen. I'm reading a book right now called the entitlement trap and it's very good. It has some really good ideas and how to teach your children responsibility instead of entitlement. I'll keep you updated once I read more. I only have read the first chapter.

Lisey says to nick and I today "I'm not a baby anymore. I'm Lisey". Her other favorite thing to say is "remember". 

Ironically later this evening Lisey was crying and says "I want my pacy". Thinking maybe I didn't hear her right I asked "you want your pacifier? Your pacy?" She replied that yes she wanted her pacy. That came out of nowhere! So much for not wanting to be a baby anymore.