What We Say

I didn't think ahead of time of the phrases I'd say over and over, the "life lessons" I'd try to instill by constant repetition. They snuck up on me, these things I say.

"In our family, we don't give up."
"We help each other. Everyone does their part."
"We take care of each other, if someone gets hurt go help them."

Sometimes I'm not even sure who came up with it originally. David? Me? Who knows. It sounded good at the time so we just kept saying it. Its funny how we didn't plan it out, "What are our values? What do we want to pass on to our kids?" It just sort of happens. Along with the other stuff, the stuff we say to manage the family.

"Read two stories, brush your teeth, go to bed. Don't complain about it."
"No candy, no toys, no crying."
"If you fight over it/don't put it away/throw it, it will disappear forever."
"You can turn it around now. Take a deep breath, let's get it together."

What do I say to intentionally teach my children? I'm realizing there's more in the bible for this whole parenting thing than I had realized before. I tell my children, "don't tattle on each other." But Jesus tells us what to do about your brother that's causing trouble. (Matthew 18:15-17) And then there's the whole thing about keeping track of how much stuff she got, compared to what I got. (Remember the lesson about the workers in the vineyard?) What else is there? What else is God going to reveal to me? I can not WAIT to find out!