Deep (Sunday) Thoughts--NOT by Jack Handey

Listened to the below talk earlier today, then needed to re-visit it this evening after a less-than-peaceful putting to bed of four small boys sans husband.  Have you ever seen a nine and six-year-old fight over a baby?   I mean that literally--Max was running across the house with Gray (barely) in his arms while Sam chased after violently trying to get him (Gray) back and screaming at the top of his (Sams) lungs.  I stopped them and rescued Gray before the tug-of-war began.  There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth--even before I came out of the bathroom and sent all boys to their respective beds!
I only wanted two (okay, five) minutes of bathroomly peace!  Is that too much to ask?!?  (Evidently!)

These angelic little punks may be the death of me!

What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?

by Lynn G. Robbins

...When children misbehave, let’s say when they quarrel with each other, we often misdirect our discipline on what they did, or the quarreling we observed. But the "do"—their behavior—is only a symptom of the unseen motive in their hearts. We might ask ourselves, “What attributes, if understood by the child, would correct this behavior in the future? Being patient and forgiving when annoyed? Loving and being a peacemaker? Taking personal responsibility for one’s actions and not blaming?”

How do parents teach these attributes to their children? We will never have a greater opportunity to teach and show Christlike attributes to our children than in the way we discipline them. Discipline comes from the same root word as disciple and implies patience and teaching on our part. It should not be done in anger. We can and should discipline the way that Doctrine and Covenants 121 teaches us: “by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness and pure knowledge” (verses 41–42). These are all Christlike be’s that should be a part of who we, as parents and disciples of Christ,are. 

A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505....With which child will your patience, long-suffering, and other Christlike virtues most likely be tested, developed, and refined? Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?...

Our children are God’s children. That is their true identity and potential. His very plan is to help His children overcome mistakes and misdeeds and to progress to become as He is. Disappointing behavior, therefore, should be considered as something temporary, not permanent—an act, not an identity....

Click the title for the full text.  Excellent read if you have a few minutes.  Plus, the above excerpt makes more sense in context and without my editing.  And now I shall go drop exhausted into bed!  

Good-night!