Wednesday, August 31, 2011

On my mind...

I have a few things on my mind. Some say it takes a village to raise a child. I totally believe it. We rely on grandparents, family, and friends to help us mold our kiddos. I will be the first to admit I am not the best mama. Though I try hard to do my best :) (obviously- ha)

A couple questions for you other experienced mamas....

Tithing lessons... how, when, what did you do? Why do I ask? Well, I picked Ay up from sunday school a few weeks ago and her teacher that day said she had a "rough morning". That totally caught me off guard bc she loves her class. She just moved up to this "big girl" class in May and is closely the youngest in there.
Anyways, the lady told me she cried when she didn't have anything to put in the offering basket. Gulp. No one told me that they collected an offerring. But I didn't want to admit to her I was a clueless mama. So did some research and found out details.
This past week I talked to her about the special basket and asked if she wanted to do chores for money to put in there. Honestly, I felt clueless. I wasn't really teaching her how to properly tithe her earnings, just to give. She Happily gave it all. She's been making her bed each day and helping with the pets now. But how did you teach or plan to teach your kiddos?


Next question... Ayla is starting school so there has been alot of talk around the house kinda "pumping" her up! Leah pretty much believes she's going. Tonight was Ay's meet the teacher night. I explained on the way to class to Leah that tonight we'd be playing in her class, but next week we'll drop her off and go play special things on our own. Leah then said, "Mommy I don't wanna play with you- Im going to preschool"
Sheesh... As if I wasn't emotional enough. Thanks Leah! I told her it would be awesome. In my head I will be a mess- who am I kidding! I wanna go to school with Ayla too. ha My question is have any of you ran into problems like this and what kind of things did you do or help (bribe- sorry) your younger child into understanding its not their turn?

HELP! Thanks in advance...

8 comments:

Beth said...

Well you know I have no business giving advice about parenting, but I saw a cute idea once that involved three jars - one said "save," one said "spend," and one said "give." if you pay a child 75 cents per chore (and I have no idea what the going rate is) she puts a quarter in each. Good luck with school. You guys will do great!

Courtney, Jeff, Ayla & Leah said...

LOVE IT BETH! :)

Jen said...

I really like Beth's idea....I think I'm going to have to do something like that, too. We start tithing after baptism...although learning to give at any age is great! We teach 10% in our church, so that is what our kids will give, too...based on what THEY earn, which probably won't be a lot, ha.

As for Leah, just tell her when she turns four she will get to go to preschool, too, but until then she is stuck at home with mom! HA! I feel I say that a lot, especially to Bryce and especially about naps...but I just say "when you are 5 or 7 you won't have to take naps either"...and he gets it and doesn't argue.

HeatherH said...

I am a fan of bribery! I usually try to show them (before we even leave for school) what we will do at home and then remind them while we are dropping off and that does help some. My problem is I get in there and gab away and then she gets involved in the fun toys and doesn't want to leave so my advice is get in and get out! If it's a problem then we will take turns taking Ay and Soph in and the other can stay with the little ones! As far as tithing...our church purposely has them stay in the service for that and then they leave for kids church. That's a good one and I love the jar idea.

Chelsa said...

ooo I love Beth's jar idea- I'm totally going to do that!

Brycen always has a lot of curioristy (and at our church they are in the service for offering) and he weanted to know what all the "baskets" were for so we just explained to him that God gives us everything we have- it's not really ours, it's all God's and so we need to give back to Him... obviously that's not real in depth- but he seemed to get it and enjoys giving.

As for Leah- I have no idea! On Wednesdays when I'm home and now Brycen is back in school Corbin walks around ALL.DAY.LONG. saying Bubba at?? and looking for him. He breaks my heart! I try to keep him engaged, but he gets distracted and doesn't seem nearly as interested in playing with me as he does his big brother... I'm sure I'll have the same questions next year when he can actually tell me he wants to go to school with Brycen instead of staying at home with me! lol Good luck!

Bethany said...

I believe Dave Ramsey has a Financial Peace Jr. materials on Amazon. I think the ages are for 3-12 years of age - that may give you some ideas and it comes with books to read to the kiddos.

For us, we let Camden put our tithe in the basket and he has been wanting bring bring his own money out of his piggy bank to put in the offering plate all on his own. You may give it a try!

Leah Robinson said...

Great ideas =) Don't worry all of us mommies are clueless LOL And what works for one family may not work for another!

Tera said...

I like Beth's idea too but I am going to have to tease her about the rate! :) My kids are content to do a chore for a quarter at this point! I think it's important to draw a boundary between a "chore" that earns money and one that is just expected to maintain a household/good manners, ykwim? I consider a "chore" one that mommy would normally do but the kids help...like making beds, watering flowers, setting the table, etc. I don't consider picking up toys, brushing teeth, or things like that as chores. ? Maybe I am weird! ;) Anyway, we definitely stress what Chelsa said. It's all HIS money anyway and this is a great age to encourage tithing and offering (which are really two different things) because they give so freely! I think the fact that you are even interested in teaching your girls about this shows that you are a great momma and seeking to raise your children to serve Him in everything they do. Oh- and don't forget that it's not just the money we earn that is tithed but also money we receive as gifts.