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Part 3 "Delight in Your Children: The Key to Their Hearts

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The Boyer Blog: Part 3 "Delight in Your Children: The Key to Their Hearts

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Part 3 "Delight in Your Children: The Key to Their Hearts

Practical Delighting In Another


What do I mean by delighting in?


The Hebrew meaning for delight is:

DELIGHT- to be pleased; to satisfy a debt, be acceptable, accomplish, set affection on, approve, enjoy, have favor, like, observe, pardon, take pleasure in

Here’s the dictionary definition:

to affect with great pleasure, to please highly. Delight is a more permanent pleasure than joy and not dependent on sudden excitement.

Let me give you some concrete ideas on how to delight in your child:

-When Kasey was a toddler she would come down hall at night and want to climb into bed to snuggle with Mom and Dad. We would let her snuggle for a few minutes acting delighted to see her. It’s a special time and she still likes to snuggle.

-In our family, we have pet nicknames for each person. As a matter of fact each person has their own pet name for everyone else. I remember asking little Kasey what different family members called her. When I got to Mommy her answer was, “ luv oo luv oo”. It is so important to verbalize to your kids that you love them and treasure them. It’s a simple thing to do, but has lifelong effects!! I actually made Kelley a scrapbook border with all her nicknames on it. We had enough to go all around the page as each one had special names for each other.

-Be excited about what excites themall the little things you think you don’t have time for. I remember when Tuck would ask for saltine crackers to “feed” the ants- on the front porch, no less!! He called them “duhs” and got so excited watching them haul off pieces of cracker!! It’s the simple pleasures!

-Take time every now and then to sit in the sandbox with them and make castles. When you make those castles you’re building bigger, more important things for eternity!!

-I decided early on that I would be a grandma who would get on the floor and play with my grandkids. I play dollhouse or matchbox cars, or even the latest thing is I pretend I’m in a house fire and they “rescue” me. (Sometimes, I need a rest after being rescued!!)

-I used to save special “papers” the kids made during the years. I have made several special scrapbooks containing those precious ones I just couldn’t part with . Until I had time to actually make the scrapbook, I just stored their special creations in a box. I kept a box for each one. It first made it to a folder, then when that got full, I’d transfer it to the box in the attic. I have one for each child. Of course, before it went to the folder, it usually hung on the fridge. Many of those kids are now grown and those papers and cards are so special to me. Some snowy day I want to just sit and look at those things and remember and show the kids what they did and may not remember.

-I used to have the kids write Scripture verses to practice their handwriting and would often frame some and hang them on the wall. For years we had one Nate made. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine”

-Our biggest source of entertainment through the years has been the cute things the kids would do and say as they were growing up in our home. Now our adult kids who are parents do the same thing with their kids and we get to hear verses learned, songs sung, precious comments, etc.

-When our oldest son, Rickey was around 3 years old, Rick was working at the sheriff’s department. We would sit at the breakfast table in the mornings before he had to leave enjoying each others company for a few quiet moments. Rickey, however, began to wake up during this time. At first, we would send him back to bed for a few minutes, but the Lord began to prick my conscience and I mentioned it to Rick. So the next morning as he came stumbling down the hall all sleepy, Rick said, RICKEY, WE”RE GLAD YOU WOKE UP. DID YOU SLEEP GOOD? Rickey delightedly responded with "Yes, I sleep good." Each morning after that he would stumble down the hall and excitedly say, “I SLEEP GOOD!!!” We would pull him onto our laps and act like it made our day to see him. Do you know what- It did!! Our change in focus affected our attitude and the delight he showed was worth giving up a little “me” time.

-Be sure to praise them to others for character-not looks or diligence in practicing, not talent. Kids need praise and respond to it. Be genuine, but remember to look for the positive.

-Be easy to please. As parents, we often expect our kids to act like little adults and expect them to know what we want without ever telling them. Make instructions simple and clear.

-In order to build trust in the relationship, try not to laugh at or embarrass them. Sometimes when we share a story with others and they laugh the kids may think we’re laughing at them, not because it’s cute, so use caution.

These are just a few simple ways to get your creative juices flowing.


~Marilyn


Next week, I’ll share a little about how to make even the ordinary days into fun times.

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10 Comments:

Blogger Jamie said...

Thank you so much for posting this! I have been consciously trying to delight in my children more and more each day. I'm already noticing a difference in me (and them!).

February 17, 2010 at 11:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing these wonderful "tips." I really appreciate them and have been really enjoying this series. I know that I need to work on being more patient with my three little ones (all under 4) and this has really helped me!
Jessica

February 18, 2010 at 6:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'll second that...
-Patrick (Jessicas husband)

February 18, 2010 at 7:39 AM  
Blogger Jennifer C. Valerie said...

Thank you so much for thisp series. I'm learning more and more how to be the parent God has called me to be and this series added another learning piece to the puzzle of parenting. Thank you so much. I will definitely be making a greater effort toward delighting in our children.

February 18, 2010 at 10:18 AM  
Blogger Kelly said...

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. It is true that we as parents sometimes get lost in "parenting and teaching" that we forget those wonderful little ones God entrusted to us. Thank you for helping me be more conscious of the way I parent. It has been hard having a new baby and balancing schooltime and funtime. I appreciate a godly perspective.

February 18, 2010 at 12:28 PM  
Blogger momof5boys said...

I enjoyed you sharing your heart with us at the Midwinter renewal last month and now enjoy reading your blogs each week. Thank you for reminding me that I can push the reset button! It has been pushed and I am asking the Lord to keep this concept of "delighting in my children" at the front of my mind! You are a blessing and have so much wisdom to share. Thank you!

February 18, 2010 at 2:58 PM  
Blogger NickiNac said...

Thanks Marilyn! You are a treasure! and not only to your children and husband but to all of us moms who are trying to impact the kingdom of God through the lives of our babies.

February 19, 2010 at 7:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for putting this into print.

Heather

February 20, 2010 at 8:17 PM  
Blogger Stephanie said...

Thank you so much for your series! As we are struggling with our 3 1/2 year old in many areas (our oldest), this has helped me to be reminded to enjoy all the times with her. I have found myself really delighting in them more often - from the tower they build and knock over to the praise song my oldest has been singing constantly this week (Here I am to Worship). Thanks again for sharing your parenting wisdom!

February 20, 2010 at 10:21 PM  
Blogger Butler Family Member said...

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. We were blessed all weekend by your honesty and encouragment. Raising a family can become weary business and you reminded us of the importance of pressing on. We have begun to consume the many resources that we purchased and love them all. Please keep sharing your life.
Chesapeake Family

February 21, 2010 at 4:58 PM  

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