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Tag Archives: chores

The Joy of Work

10 / 25 / 1910 / 29 / 19

I was 14. My dad and I were trimming trees and heaping the branches on a huge pile that we would later burn. I clearly remember him stopping momentarily to wipe the sweat off his brow as he said, “Isn’t work fun? I love working. It’s so satisfying!” In that moment, I wasn’t sure I agreed 100%, but now I understand that he was giving me an immeasurable gift in teaching me that work is a blessing from God, and doing it for Him is the best way to find joy. 

Any sort of work, whether it’s homework or doing chores around the house, can be viewed in two different ways: with joy, or with drudgery. Modeling that work is good and not evil is a gift I want to give my kids, just like my dad gave me. Our work and our hearts (our identities) are closely intertwined. 

So how do I instill that heartfelt motivation in my kids and teach them about their identity in Christ? It’s easier said than done, am I right? Here’s a few ideas that we are working on around our house:

      1. I give my kids jobs that they can finish and feel good about. (Don’t underestimate their capabilities! Kids can do some pretty big stuff!) My 2-year-old vacuums the kitchen (no joke- she loves it!), my 8-year-old helps change and dress her little sister, and my 11-year-old can make a delicious meal for the entire family. The kids are able to contribute to the family, and they feel a sense of accomplishment when the job is done. In the same way, if we are part of God’s family, He gives us “jobs” so we can contribute to His family and experience the joy of work and identity in Him! My identity is who I am, the way I think about myself, the way I am viewed by the world and the characteristics that define me. Thankfully, my identity in God is inseparable from my place in His family, no matter what I do. I am His beloved daughter. I want my kids to know that they are an important part of our family as well and have special talents and gifts to give, even in their work. 
      2. Bribery or overpayment for a job gives kids unrealistic expectations about work and doesn’t teach good character. We have chore charts at our house that hang on the fridge and we try our best to make each job match its payment. Saturday is payday and the kids look forward to getting their wages for the week. (Plus they can practice math as they add it up!)
      3. One thing I like to tell my kids is that doing my best at everything is important because my work shows my character, or what’s in my heart. I teach barre at the YMCA. (Barre is a fitness class with a combination of yoga, pilates, and ballet-inspired strength training.) Every time I teach a class, I try my best to give it my all! Why? Because God tells me to do all things heartily for Him! This principle applies to all our work- barre, homework and all! 🙂
      4. I must be willing to let my kids fail. This is hard, but teaches a valuable life lesson that laziness has consequences. If my 6th grader fails to study for a test, his poor grade motivates him to study harder next time. I also need to be willing to coach him without taking over and doing the job for him!
      5. Lastly, I try to give my children specific praise. Praise for a job well done is a huge motivator for my kids! They like to hear that they did a good job. 

~Janelle

Soaking in the Truth

Scripture to encourage you:

  • “And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men.” (Colossians 3:23, NKJV)
  • “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8, NKJV)
  • “She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.” (Proverbs 31:13, NKJV)
  • “In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.” (Proverbs 14:23, NKJV)

Music to inspire you:

  • “All You’ve Ever Wanted” by Casting Crowns

Readings and Resources to come alongside of you:

  • Responsible Kids Don’t Just Happen

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It’s Way Past Mama’s Bedtime

2 / 25 / 19

Katie

I did it! I got to bed before midnight last night.?

Virginia

Katie, that’s awesome! What’s the secret sauce? I’d love to get to bed earlier.

Katie

Ha! I wish I knew a fool proof secret! Getting to bed earlier has been a struggle for me for quite some time. But I have been feeling lately that God wants me to make it a priority.

Virginia

I totally get that. I feel like there’s so much to do and I don’t get to start on the chores until late.

Katie

Agreed ! I feel like the days are packed with taking care of the kids and different activities or commitments.? I sooo enjoy the peaceful quiet that settles over the house after I put the kids to bed at night. Not to mention that’s the only time I have to actually get anything done.

Virginia

Exactly! Those precious few hours after the kids’ bedtime is when my husband and I get to hang out. And when I can tackle those pesky chores. Laundry. Dishes (ugh, the dishes!). Need I go on?

Katie

Oh, my daily battle with the dishes!!!?

Virginia

Maybe I’ll switch us to paper products forever.? That will solve one problem, haha.

Katie

Yes, free up one space on that never-ending to-do list! That’s what has hit me, though – because the to-do list seems to never end, I just stay up later and later working on different things …

Virginia

Right, and before I know it, I’m up too late and then I’m too tired and I wake up cranky and I am short-fused and I take it out on the kids and then it’s a downward spiral. Am I the only one?

Katie

Sounds like mornings at my house! I was waking up tired every morning. And then I was snapping at my kids while I was feeding them breakfast and trying to rush everyone through the morning routine of getting dressed and brushing teeth and out the door on time. Not the way I wanted our mornings to look!?

Virginia

What did you decide to do differently?

Katie

Well, I realized I had to change SOMEthing! For me, my ideal night sleep would be 7 ½ hours. Lofty goal, but I set a bedtime for myself to be able to get that much sleep. Some nights I make it and some I don’t, but a helpful first step for me was at least stating the goal!?

Virginia

That’s smart! Creating concrete goals give you something practical to do, not some general desire. So it’s like a cutoff time. What happens when you don’t get everything done by then? I struggle to relax if my chores aren’t done and bedtime is fast approaching.

Katie

I’ve been *trying* to prioritize what actually has to get done each night and what can wait until the next day. I’ve found I have to let go of some things in order to stick to an earlier bedtime. Sometimes dirty dishes stay in the sink and emails go unanswered.

Virginia

You’re right, though. Would I prefer clean dishes when I come downstairs over a smoother and calmer morning with my kiddos? Probably not. Everything may seem like they’re equal on the priority scale but they’re really not.

Katie

Right! And when I remember the benefit of waking up more rested is better interactions with my kids in the morning, it makes it easier to stick to the bedtime goal.

Virginia

I have not perfected our mornings but I do try to prepare for the next day as much as I can the night before, like pack lunches and put backpacks by the back door. (It must be nice to be a child and have no concept of time!) If I’m as prepared as I can be, it’s easier to relax and fall asleep at my appointed bedtime. I think the main thing is I just need to let some things go, like you were saying: priorities.

Katie

And God has been showing me that I need to make my personal health a priority in order to allow Him to help me be the kind of mom He wants me to be for my kids in the morning. Letting go of the to-do list at night and going to sleep is a way of showing Him I trust Him to provide what I need for the next day.

Virginia

So true! Sleep is like our daily bread. We can’t save up for the future or pull from our reserve because there isn’t one. When we stress and busy ourselves and try to do all the things and sacrifice our sleep, we’re acting out of fear and that doesn’t lead to good health or good relationships.

Katie

It’s time to set my bedtime alarm for 11pm. Hold me to it!

Virginia

Way to go! Just forget those dishes; they’ll be there in the morning – I guarantee it.?

Soaking in the Truth

Scripture to encourage you:

  • “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.” (Psalm 127:2, NIV)
  • “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NIV)
  • “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12, NIV)
  • “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

Music to inspire you:

  • “He Who Began a Good Work In You” by Steve Green
  • “Take a Moment” by United Pursuit, Will Reagan

Readings and Resources to come alongside of you:

  • God Wants You to Get Some Sleep by Kate Shellnutt
  • Three Reasons to Get Some Sleep by Jonathan Parnell

These articles not only point out how lack of sleep negatively affects our physical and emotional health, but also reminded me that sleep is an act of humility and shows trust in God for protection and provision.

  • Study: Putting Kids to Bed Early Means Better Mental Health … For Mom

Related Posts on Texting The Truth:

  • Small Shifts: Paper Plates and Good Books
  • Small Shifts: Let’s Do this Together
  • Small Shifts, Significant Impacts

Living Out the Truth

Ideas to try:

  • I (Katie) have tried to set a daily alarm on my phone to remind me it is time to get ready to go to bed. I’ve also been trying to make to-do lists that separate what tasks need to be finished today versus which ones can wait until tomorrow or later in the week. That helps me prioritize my time and be able to have a “stopping point” for the day and go to sleep!
  • I (Virginia) prepare for the next day as much as I can the night before. I fix lunches, place backpacks by the door, and place outgoing mail by my purse. The preparation allows me to relax once I’m finally in bed because I don’t have those tasks waiting for me in the morning.
  • Keep a notepad and pen on your nightstand. When those little to-do list items pop up, jot them down. You’ll be relieved to get them out of your head and you won’t forget them.

 

{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more.

In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}

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