Learning to Discipline

Do you ever ask the question, "what is age appropriate discipline for your child?" I know I have questioned that numerous times through different stages of my son, Traycen's life. From the little things that seemed so big at a moment in time, my trust in God and how He is teaching CW and I to discipline our child grows us as role models and teachers to our child. Although, if you ask different parents, I'm sure you could agree that each and every one of them would have different parenting tools to tell you to try. But personally, I feel like if you lean on God with each and every little thing that you go through, He will guide you in the divine discipline that is needed and purposed for each and every child. I once heard that one of the most powerful ways to love your kids was to discipline them...what? Hebrews 12: 4-11 talks about this as it says, "For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes those He accepts as His children."

Just the other day we had to discipline Traycen. I feel like when we have to do this for a more "serious" thing (I can count on one hand) that it turns into a love/hate relationship of discipline. This is what happened, we were at the gym, because we're pretty much there every night right now training for jiu jitsu. As Traycen and I walked over to the table to sit down and eat our supper, Traycen noticeably slid the stack of magazines on the table. In wonder of why he had done that for, I moved the magazines and saw a hole in the table! I asked Traycen what it was and at first he told me, "well, someone broke the table." My thoughts were, "well of coarse I see that, but what happened?" Traycen ended up telling me, very shamefully, that they were playing and he did a summersault and after he rolled, his foot flung out and crashed into the table. He then proceeded to tell me that he was sorry and that the owners of the gym already knew. I knew right away that the owners didn't know because they would have came to CW or myself and told us that something happened. Anyways, I was not upset that the table was broke, even though that stinks. I was more upset at the fact that this had happened the week before and Traycer had not even said anything about it. The question had been flying  around of who had broke the table this long and it was my kid! 

Instead of getting mad I showed him that I was more hurt by the fact that he was scared to come to one of us and tell CW or myself in the first place. Let's be honest and say that most parents first reaction could be to get mad, but really what is that going to do.  He already knew that he did wrong by not telling us in the first place and was embarrased, so we didn't need to continue to shame him. Traycen apologized to the owners of the gym and asked them what he needed to do in turn for fixing the table. They decided on having him help clean windows around the gym and pay $2 for the table. This morning I found Traycen in the closet dumping out his piggy bank to find the $2 he was going to pay for the table. Even though we wish he would have come to us first, he took the blow and told the truth and then was making an effort to do what was asked of him.

So long story short, I feel like by teaching our children Godly submission they will learn to obey . Ephesians 6: 1-2 says,  "children, obey your parents in the Lord, for it is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise." When we do this we are teaching our children to do the right thing for the right reason. Although, sometimes it ends up being that he has to do it because we said it, I want him to learn to obey us and trust in us because we are trusting in God. When we build this Godly submission in our kids, then they are more likely to decide what is right and wrong and honor us and God even when we are not around! God has given us the authority and responibility to raise our kids, therefore let's trust in Him.

Hope you all have an amazing day! 

Till next time,  XOXO Cooped Up Cowboys Wife Kirste