Dear ladies, here are a few thoughts on a comment from yesterday’s post: “How do you correct children’s bad attitudes? ‘Stop having a bad attitude’ does not seem very helpful or guiding on the HOW TO.”
I am sure many of you would like to discuss this point.
1. We must begin with having a positive and happy attitude ourselves. If we don’t know how to do it, how will our children? Of course, we don’t always feel happy and joyful and in good spirits. But feelings are not the point. We don’t live by feelings; we live by the truth. And the real truth is that if Christ dwells in us, we can live in joy because HE IS JOY! Dear mother, your attitude sparks the attitude for the rest of the home.
2. If your child has already received Christ into His heart and life remind him that Jesus lives in Him. Teach Him how to yield to Jesus rather than yield to his feelings and the flesh. You can start teaching your children this habit from when they are young.
3. Sing with them. “Come on, Johnny, let’s sing together.” And them get them singing a joyful song with you. Do you know “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, down in my heart, down in my heart”? That’s a good one with actions too. Don’t let him off the hook. Get all the children singing to help him along if necessary.
4. You can also inspire good and positive attitudes by doing something like a weekly competition. Pin up on the fridge the names of your children with columns for each day of the week. As you notice good attitudes give them stickers. When they have a good or bad attitude, put a black mark. The one who gets the most stickers for the week receives a prize. Make it something special.
5. Don’t allow your children to get away with bad attitudes and moods. This habit must be broken. If they come to the table with a sour and glum face, encourage them to put on a smile. If they are stubborn and refuse, they should go to their room until they are ready to come to the table with a happy face.
I am sure you have other ideas that have worked for you. Please share them.
Blessings from Nancy
P.S. Do you know the song?
Joy is the flag flown high
From the castle of my heart
From the castle of my heart
From the castle of my heart
Joy is the flag flown high
From the castle of my heart
When the King is in residence there
(So) let it fly in the sky
Let the whole world know
Let the whole world know
Let the whole world know
(So) let it fly in the sky
Let the whole world know
That the King is in residence there.
Our young grandchildren love to sing this song. We remind them that when the queen or king is in his castle, they fly the flag so everyone knows they are in residence. Jesus, who is King of king’s lives in our hearts. We must fly the flag of joy to let everyone in the family and around us know that He is there! Look up the tune on the Internet if you don’t know it.