So this is going to be totally random because my thoughts on this topic are completely random. I'd also love more insight on training our kids how to love. Like really love, not just emotional up and down love.
One thing I want to figure out more is sharing and arguing over a toy. If there is ever a disagreement I always tell Mary to let the other person have the toy. I don't think Jesus was "fair" in this respect as we like to think of fairness. I mean, we do the whole take turns thing sometimes. But I want to teach Mary that love means service. Love means sacrifice. And toys are such an applicable thing to a 3 year old. Even if she was already playing with the toy, it will show love to the other person and speak more than words if she gives it up. At first I thought, well this could be a crazy cycle, "Mary, Noah wants the toy so give it to him. Noah, Mary wants the toy so give it to her!" But it hasn't really played out that way. I will usually just call Mary over and tell her that one way she can show love to ______ is to give up the toy. I think we see all over scripture how those who want to lead need to serve. But I haven't really figured that out completely in this area. I don't have a "plan" which is so unlike me:) But that's kind of where I am right now.
We have people over for dinner a lot. Multiple times a week and usually once a week it's a large group. One thing I have Mary do is help serve the people who come. Tonight I had her pass out the dessert. Every time she came back she said, "Mommy I want some!!" But I told her she needed to wait until everyone else had some. It could have been a more teachable moment but it slipped by. We can love others by putting them first.
I also teach the kids to clean up! This falls under love for sure in my mind. It shows others that you respect their time. You love them enough to not leave a mess behind you that they will have to clean up. Since both of my kids could pick things up they've been cleaning up after themselves. Especially with Noah this is a long process, but I think it's worth it. Not for the sake of having a clean house, but for showing others that you care.
Those are a couple ways we teach love. In all these things I talk about we also model love! One thing I love about GKGW is their emphasis on the marriage relationship being priority in a home. For me, my priorities are God, Ian, then the kids. I think in our culture it's perfectly acceptable that once you have kids they take over in your heart and priorities. That's not how God created it to be. Ian and I make sure the kids see us communicating each day. They see how we interact. And they also know that when mommy and daddy are talking you don't interrupt (not that they never do...). They need to know, once again, that they are not the center of the universe. God is. He placed an order in the family and the kids are not the top dogs!
Again, other tips are welcome!
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