Trying to love my kid on "purpose"....

When I found out I was pregnant one of my first purchases was NOT a crib, a baby blanket, or even books on how to get through my labor....it was the DVD's of "Loving your Kids on Purpose" by Danny Silk (from Bethel Church).

I had heard soooo many good things about the dvds and they definitely lived up to their reputation!! I wont spoil it for you because I just highly recommend getting them. period. They are all about the Father heart of God towards us and the need to give your children choices, all while setting boundaries and teaching them how to make good choices.  So I have been teaching Ellie the language of choice, even though I am fully aware that she is only 18months old and has virtually no control over her emotions.

So today I tried something....she was in the middle of a fit and I gave her a choice.....I said "Ellie you can choose to calm down and be fun and stay out here with mommy or you can go to your room?" Well the next thing I know she is up and walking to her room...it was the funniest thing!!!! She stayed in there until I came in to get her....I guess she knew that she needed some time to calm down:)

All this to say I have learned a lesson on parenting...that our kids are smart, when given choices they may not always make the right one that is why as parents we create a safe environment for them to fail and take that opportunity to teach them the right way.  But if we as parents are trying to control them instead of teaching them how to control themselves, when the real world becomes their playground they might not know when it is a good idea to stop hanging upside down on the monkey bars......