The Best Class

In September I started taking an institute class called "Positive Parenting". It has been such an amazing experience for me. I felt like I should share a little of what I learned because it has helped me so much. I don't know about you, but sometimes I wish there was a parenting manual for dummies that I could refer to when I am at my wits end with things. My most favorite class was the very first one...it was called "A House of Order." Go figure that having an organized house would make you a better parent! The best tip I learned from that class was to put my family on a schedule. Duh!! Our teacher told us to wake up a half-hour earlier then our children and take time to read the scriptures, say morning prayers, maybe shower, get dressed and.....(dramatic pause)...get ready to parent! This SINGLE act has been huge for me! Not only do I feel better because I started my day off with a good spiritual boost but I seem to be on top of things more. I get more done in the first two hours of my day than I would normally get done in an entire day. The other thing that really changed me was her advice to be DONE with all chores (except dinner of course) by the time your children get home from school so that you are available to them for the rest of the evening. This has made such a sweet change in my relationship with Roper. I feel as though he feels more important to me. Another cool thing that has really helped me is the lesson on teaching your children to work. Our teacher showed us a chore chart that she had made for her 5 year old son and it went something like this 1) make your bed 2) give mom the biggest kiss you have ever given 3) have your big sister help you get dressed 4) brush your teeth 5) run up and down the stairs 3 times saying "I'm the king!, I'm the king!" 6) dust the living room furniture 7) Mom needs a bear hug! So....I tried this very thing with Roper. I have the chart waiting for him when he gets home from school and he can't wait to see what silly things I am going to have him do. One day I left off anything that had to do with giving me kisses or hugs and he said, "Mom, don't I need to give you a kiss and a hug?" It totally filled my cup!! Anyway, I could go on and on about this class. I just felt the need to share it because it has made me enjoy parenting and my unique role as a mother even more.
Love to all,
Meckenzie

P.S. The pictures are of Roper pushing a penny across the floor...this was one of his chores and we were laughing so hard while he was doing it that I had to snap a picture to remember, and of Halloween...we had bugs and a storm trooper at our house!