Effective Biblical Discipline

Creative Discipline Ideas
by Lisa Whelchel

As you well know, the parenting adventure is different with each child — and it's vital to recognize and adapt to your children's various temperaments, strengths, and weaknesses. Think of yourself as a sculptor shaping and molding the lives of your young ones. With each child, you may be working with a different medium. You could be endeavoring to form one youngster who appears to be as hard as marble. As an artist, you might use a chisel, hammers, even water, while sculpting your masterpiece. You may have another child who is more pliable, like clay. Even then, as a potter, you might use fire, a knife, and your bare hands.

It doesn't matter what substance you're working with, be it wood, ice, bronze, wax, sand, steel, or foam. Each raw material requires a distinct combination of tools to strike the balance between respecting its uniqueness and steadfastly pursuing the potential beauty within.
In the following articles, I will present different tools and creative ways to use them as we allow the Lord to work through us, shaping our children in His image (see Colossians 3:10). You'll see, there's no reason discipline has to be boring!

Experiment. If one idea doesn't work, try something else and come at it from another direction. But don't dismiss a failed method altogether; it may work on another child or at another stage of childhood. Believe me, your departure from the ordinary ways of correction will keep your kids on their toes, wondering what you'll next pull out of your bag of tricks. The road is long, but it doesn't have to be dull.

Adapted from Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel, a Focus on the Family book published by Tyndale House Publishers. Copyright © 2000, Lisa Whelchel. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.

Circle of Support

BABY GAGA DECEMBER 2008 CLIQUE

I happened upon Baby Gaga right after I found out I was pregnant. I made friends with an awesome group of ladies who were all due at the same time. We've been there for each other through it all & even though our group has gotten smaller, we are STILL there for each other.

16 Weeks

So, Tuesday was 16 weeks & I also had my monthly OB visit. I gained an entire 1 lb, so i am still 2 lbs behind my original weight, but my doctor was just happy I wasn't still losing weight. I am still extremely sick, but he ordered me to continue taking the anti-nausea meds everyday. So, I am taking it as soon as I get up in the mornings. It seems to be helping somewhat. He said they are really doing all they can for me at this point, so it is just a waiting game to see when it will end. I went maternity shopping & had to buy all size small clothes! That made me pretty happy. I don't really have much of a belly, but it is more comfortable to have the stretchy pants & I sure am not going to wear regular elastic pants! I also do not own even 1 pair of sweatpants, so I am not going to start now. Sure, I love to be comfy, but I am not going to turn into a frump just because I am preggo. There are just too many cute maternity clothes to be wearing "joggin' britches".

15 Weeks & Still Sick

I know, I know. It has been a while! Wel, I have been pretty sick here lately, so that is my excuse! I was really sick on Sunday, then even worse on Monday. I was even vomiting water. I called my OB & he sent me on to the ER for IV fluids & anti-nausea meds. The entire time I was waiting, I was in aweful pain, having contractions. At 1st, I thought it was upset stomach, cramping up or something, but then I realized I knew exactly what it was. Luckily, the fluids stopped it though. It was just from the dehydration. The next day, which was 15 weeks, I took this pic of my belly. It was looking quite flat. When I woke up that morning, I sure didn't look preggo. All the fluids seemed to flush out everything. Crazy! I have been sick off & on everyday this week, but I am relying on the anti-nausea meds. They really help. Since I have been taking the meds regularly, I have been able to eat & hopefully will have put some weight on this month. Normal weight gain for 15 weeks is about 10lbs, but I will be lucky if I have gained 2lbs so far. We will see on Tuesday when I have my 16 week appointment.