One Year on CafeMom

[AndreaWright]

I joined CafeMom one year ago.  It was father's day when I signed up.  I remember my very first journal post was about Abraham and what a great daddy he is.  I felt it was appropriate to repost it.  This is reposted to celebrate Abraham, Father's Day and my one year anniversary with CafeMom!

As it is father's day I find it appropriate to reflect on the kind of father my children have. 

I am blessed beyond measure, I have a devoted, wise, loving, kind, friendly husband, but above all the things I am most grateful for his ability to discipline our children.  Discipline is not just spanking your children or putting them in Time-Out.  The most important part of discipline is consistency and follow-through.  It is not about making children feel bad about what they have done, rather it is about teaching children not to do that which initiated the discipline.  Discipline is teaching children right from wrong, which behaviors are acceptable, to respect others and themselves.  One of the most important things that discipline does is show children that every action has an equal and appropriate reaction.  Everything they choose to do in life will affect them again later.  Consistency and follow-trough are Abraham's strong points.  He consistently expects excellence from out children and he receives it.  He never gives empty threats.  He only sets the rules and makes sure they are aware of any consequences of breaking those rules. 

No matter if you spank your children or not.  The consistency you have when relating to them and actually doing what you say is most important in teaching them to behave in a way that you approve of.  How you react to your children's misbehavior will ultimately influence how they will behave or misbehave in the future.  If you give in when your child begs, throws a temper tantrum, or other undesirable trait, it only teaches them to do it again!  Even if you only give in occasionally, they know that if they act out enough you just may give in!  You must be firm and consistent to teach them not to resist what they must eventually do anyways.  These are things I need to work on.  I am not good at being consistent; I am guilty of throwing out the occasional empty threat.  Thank you Abraham for setting the bar high and helping me to try and reach it!

All this talk about discipline, let me say that everything needs to be done in balance.  You can not have effective and appropriate discipline without having equal amounts of love, praise, and encouragement.  Abraham is great at those too!  How did I get so lucky?!?!  Now if I could only learn to so the same as him.........

[Reganc]

Jun. 15, 2008 at 11:29 PM That is awesome! I just joined this weekend! It was nice reading your post, and knowing you still enjoy this site!

[latida]

Jun. 16, 2008 at 1:43 AM AWWWW.....I am happy you have Abraham by your side, Andrea!

[southerngirl57]

Jun. 16, 2008 at 6:21 PM NOW ANDREA THIS IS WHY I THNK YOU ARE SUCH A SPECIAL PERSON.ABRAHAM IS ALWO VERY BLESSED TO HAVE YOU. YOU ARE AWESOME. BRENDA

[isleysmom]

Jun. 17, 2008 at 9:20 PM

Andrea, your kids are so lucky to have you and Abraham as parents! I hope I'm able to be that type of parent to Isley. I may have some questions for you, lol.

[Mommy_of_two]

Jun. 23, 2008 at 5:50 PM Great post Andrea...I missed it last yr. We probably hadn't became 'cyber friends yet, and I'm late this time, but Abraham sounds like a great daddy.