Intentionality

Cynthia Moses was back by popular demand this morning and shared with us on the subject of Intentionality. The morning absolutely flew by and before we knew it, it was time to head down to pick up our kids. I think we all could've listened to her ALL day!

Here are 3 things that Cynthia says our children NEED to know:

1. WORK - Every child is part of a family unit and needs to feel important and have something that they're responsible for. Whatever you are doing, give them a job. Whether it be wiping down the refrigerator while you do the dishes, carrying their diaper bag if they're big enough or helping unload the car and bring items in when you get home. Teach work as being a privilege, not something you get allowance for.

2. DELAYED GRATIFICATION - Our children need to learn how to wait. Stimulate their thinking and help them begin to sequence. Let your explanation have a sequence for them to watch for. If your child asks for the crayons on top of the counter while you're doing the dishes, tell them you'll be happy to get them their crayons as soon as you're finished with the dishes. We also need to let them know when we're delaying our own gratification. Let them know what we're thinking. Cynthia used the example of also stimulating our child's thinking by asking them "Should we go to the park now or wait until after the baby takes a nap?"

3. SEXUALITY - Talk to your children about what a privilege it is to be a girl and what an equal privilege it is to be a boy. They need to have it in their head what a privilege it is to be a boy or a girl. Be open about how wonderful it is to be what they are and communicate this to them. Intentionally teach them gender specific roles at home and be thinking about ways to champion them to be a boy or a girl. We're too easy on American children these days. We're going on the third generation of "entitlement" thinking. Do intentionality intensively with a purpose. Have explicit instruction. Cynthia mentioned a book "Do Hard Things" written by 2 teenage boys, Alex and Brett Harris, that she suggests all of us read.

EXPLICIT INSTRUCTION - GUIDED PRACTICE -
IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK - SELF REGULATION

God has given you the authority to teach your child to learn how to live for Him!

Thank you for coming back to share with us again Cynthia! I know I had quite a few "ah-ha" moments this morning and wrote notes like crazy on things to start doing with my 2 year son. We love all of your wisdom and advice that you bring to our group!! Hopefully we'll have you back again in the future!