My kids think I'm the devil - LOL!

[5ft Diva]

So last year I asked that my kids do something spiritual every day for 10 min. They did that, but this year they said they didn't want to do that. And I'm okay with trying something new so I said, "Okay, instead of the 10 min. of something spiritual on your own before family prayers in the morning we'll have a devotional and we'll take turns giving it." Only half of them like this idea a little more. The other half continued to fight and I mean F-I-G-H-T me on this. Seriously?! When did Mom become the devil because she wants her children to have a little spirituality in their lives?!

[Erudite]

What kind of Mom are you anyway?? I mean imagine you thinking that your kids should be spiritual. Here it is summer and your kids are feeling all laid back and relaxed and you go and require them actually DO something to UN-natural themselves. Whaddya thinkin?

I totally left out the spiritual in my requirement of my kids. Thanks for the suggestion. I will be an evil Mom too when I add it in. And if your kids think they have it bad, my kids are required to earn a pass (I think I shared this a few summers ago) to do ANYthing fun-ish. It is a "computer/TV/Friend/swim pass". To earn it, they have to do personal grooming, room maintenance, house cleaning jobs, practice the piano, AND learning time. We have family prayers every morning and night, but we've been bad about FHE and family scripture study which means my kids aren't getting the spiritual they need.

And here's a good suggestion on the "what type of Mom" thing. I had a friend tell me that when her kids complain of her requirements of them, she says "woohoo! I'm totally working on getting the "worst Mom of the year" award. I'll just add this one to my resume." It makes it a kind of funny thing.

[5ft Diva]

Kids....gotta love 'em!

[natickgirl]

I'm guessing the opposition is coming from your older kids who realize preparing a spiritual thought will take effort!

We usually have a "Big 5" my kids need to do each day all summer before they can play. They are: Instrument practice, reading, workbook or other academic learning, room, and chore. I think I'll add something spiritual, too. (They can count reading scriptures, New Era, etc. as reading and make it a two fer!) Life is a little crazy here at the in-laws, so the Big 5 is harder to enforce, but soon.........

I was talking to my friend about my in-laws very untrained (and irritating!) dogs. She said that, according to her vet, dogs needs three things: discipline, exercise, and love, with discipline being the most important. I think children need the same things!

[Erudite]

I added "spiritual moments" to my kids computer pass. I told them it included two things: pray and something else. The something else was read a chapter, memorize a verse, write in journal, or work on Duty to God or Faith in God awards. I am going to add reading from the New Era or Friend and FHE prep. Thanks for the suggestion, NG!

This morning, before I even got out of bed, I heard my daughters working to memorize an article of Faith. Hurray for good ideas, 5D!!