Family Government

     We teach self government first and then we teach family government. Our little blessings have folly in their heart and so even while self government is key they will still bicker.. act selfishly.. prefer themselves to others.. and so that is when the next form of government takes over. Family government.. we need a home that has rules.. consequences... rights.. privileges. . leaders... standards.. goals and a vision.. Parents need to provide these things. Food, shelter, clothing, unconditional love, a nice bed and time, materials and supplies for learning are basics. We need to strive beyond that teaching character.. not yelling and punishing but training and consistent with consequences. We need to study our children.. Does your daughter need yarn? Paints? A book on sewing? Does your son need a whittling set and some soap? What are their interests? Stop telling them to get away from the TV and video games and give them something to do.. offer them a walk on Saturday morning with you.. provide a musical instrument etc. Give them security in working to help do projects and cook, etc. We are to mentor these eternal souls... to guide them. In our family by the age of three you are clearly aware of personal property and community property.. we encourage disputes to be settled by the participants before it is brought to us.. our children are fbff first best friends forever.. they know what is expected a schedule is posted.. everyone has a chore chart.. there is a family meeting every morning, there is a planning meeting ever Sunday evening, there is a parent child meeting once a week.. we talk about our standards in our family we don't listen to music with curse words... we don't wear skirts that short.. we don't yell etc.. When we are outside our home and a child falls into a crowd I have said come here you are a Martin.. we don't do that. Does all of this mean no fun? Nope we read at least an hour a day.. we take trips.. we have tea in the afternoon. . We have a candlelight dinner on Sundays.. Movie night.. x-box night.. foosball tournaments.. go out for dinner on Tuesday. . Go out for desserts.. bake.. dance.. sing at the top of our lungs.. listen to audio books in the car.. etc. We can enjoy more things because we have taught self government and have a strong family government.. justice is important, issues are settled quickly and we move on. Your family has a government... how is it being run? The loudest voice.. the most persistent nagger.. a try at temporary set up till anarchy takes over.. Home needs to be safe.. engaging.. comfortable... encouraging.. The government set up in your home allows time to reach beyond settling disputes and struggling with chores.. battling over homework.. fighting for more privileges... If you are caught in those situations.. it is NOT because your children are Burdens.. It is a lack of parents setting up a family government and fulfilling their duties. This is back to self government for parents.. we must continually learn, grow and practice self discipline. This allows our children to do so too. When that is done the children will follow suit. Your home will change.