Parenting | Page 19 of 24

I Know You Already Know This

March 14th, 2021
Mollie T. Cox

Decades ago, I volunteered to substitute in a preschool Sunday School class in our new town. Not only were my three boys preschoolers, but I also had taught the three-year-old class at our former church. I chafed while the lead teacher showed me the lesson and spoke as if I were ignorant about both teaching and preschoolers. I admit my attitude towards her became poor.

Five years later, my sister-in-law prefaced a conversation with “I know you already know this.” The strong statements that followed were not perceived as a lecture but as Sherry’s desire to discuss information about which I was knowledgeable.

I don’t remember whether I knew the facts and opinions Sherry stated, but I know I did think what a respectful, disarming way to start specific conversations. I immediately recollected the Sunday School lecture about teaching preschoolers and how different it might have been if the information had been prefaced with “I know you already know this, but…”

We do need refreshers and reminders and exhortations about what we already know. “I know you already know this” can be a respectful opening.

Thank you for being a reader of this blog about things “you already know.”

Memories, Parenting

Together As A Family

March 7th, 2021
Mollie T. Cox

Five of our family flew to Colorado Springs for my youngest son’s ordination as a pastor. That event was special enough, yet, the weekend was full of additional adventures.

Exploring Garden of the Gods, an awe-inspiring collection of rock formations.

Visiting the Air Force Academy, especially its architecturally beautiful chapel.

Driving through North Cheyenne Cannon—tight tunnels and a winding road so narrow that one car must stop or pull to the edge when encountering another car.

And much more: Watching the Preakness on the largest TV I had ever turned on—my mother-in-law’s favorite horse won; Catching snippets of Prince Harry’s wedding on the same incredible TV; Celebrating my mother-in-law’s 81^st birthday.

On the drive home from the airport, I asked the son who had traveled with us to name his favorite event. His answer? “Just being together as a family.”

It was a good reminder that while special activities can be valuable, just being together as a family is more so.

What is your favorite “Just being together as a family time?”

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1a ESV

Homeschooling, Parenting

Mirarme, Look at Me

February 21st, 2021
Mollie T. Cox

I had just boarded a boat to cross the Strait of Gibraltar, when I heard a preschooler holler “Mirarme! Mirarme!”

Although I had taken five years of Spanish classes, these were the first Spanish words I had immediately understood after two weeks in Spain.

I turned and saw two nearby adults whom I assumed were the girl’s parents and the object of her commands, “Look at me. Look at me.”

The young child wasn’t doing anything exceptional, just frolicking on the deck, but she wanted her parents to see and undoubtedly applaud.

When a college friend interviewed me for her sociology essay, I relayed this story.

That is what I needed to know,” she said. “What is universal across cultures? Children wanting their parents’ attention.”

Kay’s observation has stuck with me forty-four years. Children never lose their desire for you to pay attention to them.

What can you do when you don’t know what to do? When parenting or homeschooling seems too hard? Look at them and give attention.

It is the easiest to do and the hardest to remember.

Heading for the airport to fly to Madrid. My high school Spanish Club spent four weeks traveling though Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

Who is calling “Look at me?” Perhaps silently?

Parenting

Changing Children

February 10th, 2021
Mollie T. Cox

Sometimes, the consistency of our children’s behavior and interests is something to celebrate. (See Children Don’t Change Part 2 Here) What do we do when it isn’t?

Along the way, I learned how little control mothers have at times. The power to change our children, especially their hearts, has not been granted.

The only father who can “fix” his children is God, and one way He does it is through the prayers of parents.

For years, I envied Moms-in-Prayer.* I wanted my own prayer team, but the logistics did not work for homeschoolers.

In 2013, I began meeting with two friends to pray for our adult children. When one moved, it became a twosome. I later gained a second prayer partner. When meeting was inconvenient, we prayed over the phone.

Our rules: Confidentiality. Pray privately and do not share the requests of others. I have prayed in my minivan to achieve this. Respect boundaries. Some of your child’s situations are too private to share.

Consider telling your children that your friends are praying for them. One son texted a concern followed by “Alert the prayer team.”

Who will join you in praying for your children?

*https://momsinprayer.org

Parenting

Children Don’t Change Part 2

February 7th, 2021
Mollie T. Cox

I previously shared how “dog” and “bird” were among the earliest words of my eldest son. (See Hang A Bird Feeder Here.) His interest in dogs and birds never wavered.

Our dog, Tramp, may have been a birthday present for my middle son and slept with my youngest son, but my oldest showed the most concern. He was the only family member who once noticed Tramp had not eaten for more than a day and cooked delicacies to tempt his appetite. He alone stayed with Tramp when he had to be put down. He was our dog’s best friend.

No one cares for the birds in our back yard and woods like my eldest. He notices their first reappearances. He cautions me not to scare them with my camera clicks. He reminds me to hang our bird feeders during snows and the extreme cold, and then, keeps watch to make sure the feeders stay filled. Birds are safer because of him. We enjoy birds more because of him.

How little did we understand the significance of my son’s first words.

What unchangeableness can you praise?