In my guest bathroom, I have a “Wise Words for Moms” cheat sheet posted on the wall. It’s very prominent and I’ve had numerous people ask about it and why it’s there. It’s literally the BEST $4 I’ve ever spent on
my children. It’s a convenient flip chart using the Scriptures to drive out the foolishness bound up in the heart of [your] child (Proverbs 22:15).
Let me tell you moms. On those days you’re so blinded with anger or exhaustion….the words speaks truth to your soul while encouraging your child. In the heat of a discipline issue….it’s hard to think clearly. By hard I mean – physically impossible. This chart has helped me SO many times.
The last few days of parenting have been brutal. I have been SO frustrated with my offspring and life is increasingly overwhelming. I have used this chart more the last 72 hours than in the previous 4 years combined.
We’ve encountered some spiritual, physical, financial and mental storms within about 4 days. One such incident was…my 2yo knocked out his front teeth a few days ago. It’s been a bloody mess in my house. I won’t go into all the details. But…it’s not easy helping a toddler understand why he can’t eat, drink or play the same. And because he’s only 2….the traumatized area keeps re-opening causing…more mess. My mental energy is drained after every new incident. I’m not easily grossed out. But…dang it. I’m tired of blood. We will leave it there.
In addition, the last few weeks, my oldest son (4) has been struggling with antagonizing, dishonesty and causing discord. For days, we’ve spent a LOT of time discussing the word “strife” and “peace”. This chart has been supremely helpful. It has behavior issues categorized and offers parents helpful questions to get at the “heart” of the issue.
Yesterday, he was determined to break me. He was dedicated to his mission to start, initiate and embrace strife.
The regular consequences weren’t impactful. His heart was hardened. None of the “heart-probing” questions on the chart were helping.
Nothing. Was. Working.
I cried out audibly in my hallway to the Lord and asked, “please help me reach his heart“. And the Lord answered, “Pizza”. I’m completely serious. Now, I grew up crazy “fundamentalist Baptist” (the angry kind) and I’m not easily drawn to such spiritual theatrics. I looked at the clock and it was almost 4:00pm.
Every day around 4:00pm my son asks “what’s for dinner?” He loves eating. He’s just like his daddy. Food is his love language.
So before he could ask, I set the stage for a brutal evening. “Baby. Tonight we are having Pizza Calzones for dinner!” His eyes burst with happiness and he literally squealed and spun around. I continued, “If you continue to bring strife into our home, you will eat a peanut butter jelly sandwich while WE eat pizza.” He stopped spinning. He searched my eyes and said very very slowly and quietly, “I’m going to try …..SO hard.”
Approximately 17 seconds later he instigated a fight with his little brother (the injured, toothless, pathetic one) and my heart sank. I did NOT want this punishment. I knew I had to follow through. And I knew it would devastate him.
He looked up and saw me watching him. He came over running and said, “Ok – I forgot about the pizza rule but starting NOW I’M REALLY GOING TO TRY AND BRING PEACE.” I said very softly, “I’m so sorry babe. Tonight you get a sandwich for dinner.” He sank to the ground as if I’d let all the air out of his soul.
And then….he cried for almost 4.5 hours.
He begged. Negotiated. Growled. Whimpered.
My heart was so sad for him. During dinner he was so desperate for the taste of pizza…he dipped his peanut butter and jelly sandwich into the calzone dipping sauce. So disgusting.
He went to bed early. He was devastated, whimpering and quivering. We had broken him. But then — while cuddling in bed, I re-asked him the same “heart” questions. And suddenly the answers were different. He started asking ME some powerful questions like, “why do I love strife and not peace”? “Why is it so hard to obey?”
And of course, “can I please have pizza tomorrow?”
We were able to discuss other issues and end the night in a sweet and sincere spot. He is starting to understand the concept of good, evil, sin and righteousness….and all it took was a sandwich.
I’m so grateful for this chart and the encouragement it’s offered. Even during the darkest parenting moment…. I can grab it and read truth. It’s only $4 people on Amazon!
Have you used something similar?