I don't know if you have seen Nanny 911, but it is a show about households, often with several children, which are utterly and completely out of control because the parents are usually not training their children in proper behavior and enabling them to follow through with the training. The children, sadly, run a muck and usually are pretty sad and upset. This show was a golden opportunity to teach a lesson to our children.
We have a few children who think life would be oh so grand if Mommy and Daddy would just let them have their way all the time. No's are apparently the most evil word in all the universe, and it is not uncommon for pouts, attitudes, and potential tantrums to ensue because of it. But, I know that these same children also want to have a loving home, live a life of dedication to God, and please God, Daddy, and Mommy. Obviously, some confusion is going on regarding the double-mindedness in this thought process.
I had all the girls come sit with me while we watched an episode of Nanny 911. They were wide-eyed in amazement with the way the children behaved! Thankfully, the kids and I read the bible regularly, so Proverbs is a well-known book in the Bible. Due to these lessons, I was able to point out to them how these children were left to themselves and the result was chaos. Proverbs 29:15 was really the one brought to mind: "To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child." I asked the kids if this show looked like the kind of life and family time that they wanted. Of course, they said no. I pointed out how disheveled and sad the mommies and the daddies were, as well as the kids. Chaos and disorganization make no one happy. They nodded in agreement.
This show was a great opportunity to show the kids just what life looks like when kids run the show. It was not all the glamour and glitz that they were expecting, clearly. But, God's Word still stands true. As a mom, it is so critical for me to lead my children in the way they should go. This is both in my words and in my actions. And, when I fail in these things, it is just as critical for me to humble myself and repent before my children, asking for their forgiveness as often as necessary. This is the whole point of family; to do life together, see each other at our best and worst, and truly learn how to best get along with others. The lesson was a little impromptu, and the show a little off kilter, but I think the point got across for all of us today =0)
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