November: Intentional Parenting

If you missed one of the two Gum meetings in November, I won't lie, you really missed out. Tina shared with us a wealth of information all geared around the idea of intentional parenting. I'll do my best to share with you all the seeds of wisdom she passed on to us, but I'm sure I'll forget something. If I do, would those of you who were there please post a comment, because none of us want to miss one tiny seed.

Thank you Tina for sharing your heart with us about parenting. You've encouraged and inspired me, and I'm already 'growing up' a little more!

Intentional Parenting: treating your parenting like you would a ministry. Ministry requires preparation, discussion, goals, meetings, strategies and assessment. Intentional parenting is "having a purpose for what you do, rather thand doing what has to be done." Whew! That's a lot more than just waking up each day, feeding and carpooling the kiddos!

Good thing the Lord tells us in James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Here is a list of tools for the minsitry, I know you'll find them helpful, just like I did:
Parenting Weekends: Time away to focus on the ministry of parenting your children.

Determine your goals. Work towards those goals with specific activites geared towards desired behaviors which exhibit your goals.

Strengths/Weaknesses: Know your kids strengths and weaknesses, list them, so you can work on ways to help them cultivate and conquer them.

Dinner Table Dialogue: The Question Basket. A basket with one question for each member, drawn at random.

Family Fun Club: Family preparation for the meal (each child with a task: setting the table/seating arrangement, decorations, dessert). Question Basket at dinner. Family Game, Teaching Time, Famiy Meeting and Dessert. All with a purpose/theme and goal.

Regrets Exercise: Imagine its 10 years from now (or more) and your little ones are headed out on thier own. What will you regret having not taught them? What will you regret having not done with them? What always/nevers do you want them to remember?

Tina's Recommended Reading:

• Raising Great Kids by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
• 1000 Questions (I couldn't find this, but check out Table Topics Conversation Cards - Family Edition by TableTopics)
• The New Dare to Discipline by James C. Dobson
• The New Hide or Seek: Building Self-Esteem in Your Child by James C. Dobson