CIRCLES AND STICKS: Reverse Psychology at Bedtime

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Reverse Psychology at Bedtime

For months we have been using THE GATE (baby gate across the door) as a threat when she gets out of bed. "Sara, if you get out of one more time I will put up the gate." "No! Don't put up the gate." And she stays in bed. Two nights ago she decided she wanted the gate up. "Mom, please put up the gate so I don't get curious." And then she was able to knock it down. "Can I please have the gate?" Now I say, "No, Sara. I will not put up the gate. It doesn't help you remember to stay in bed." Hey! What just happened here?

Last night, we threatened to take stuffed animals away from her if she did not stay in bed. Todd told her, "I am not going to tell you to stay in your bed again." As she went back to bed he whispered to me, "I am not going to say anything. The next time she comes out here, I am going to go and take an animal." Two seconds later, Sara is back. "Here, you can take this one," she says as she hands over a stuffed doll. We are being schooled by a three year old.

She went back to bed. The next time she got out, Todd picked an animal and took it away. This resulted in many tears and screaming.

Todd told me that it's like us making an offering to God. When we choose what to offer it's not a big sacrifice. But when God chooses it's a lot harder. Like Abraham being asked to offer his son Isaac.

1 comment:

SandyNovember 20, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Kristin, I am really enjoying reading your posts! What fun to read the insights of a mother of kids around Elia's age. It's also giving me a glimpse into the life of my 'God Daughter' and ways to pray for her. Thanks for writing these stories down.
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Welcome

When I was four years old, I drew scribble people. Later,

embarrassed by my artistic immaturity, I drew over the art with proper circles. Yes, people are made of circles and sticks. However, my mother encouraged me to leave my drawings alone, "That was where you were then. You will want to look back at them someday and see how you've grown."

I've matured in my faith, too. At a young age, I had a

simple understanding of God. I loved Jesus, and understood he was God's son and that He died for me. When I was a teenager, I personalized that faith. In college, I thought Christians should have a radical love for God and their neighbors and I wanted to be radical. Now, I am mom to Sara (age 5 1/2) and Isaac (age 2 1/2) and am married to Todd. Our family is facing my husband's diagnosis of ALS. He was diagnosed June 11, 2010.

My faith continues to grow and my perspective changes, but I delight in looking back as life continues forward. I appreciate my simple faith as a child, my zeal as a young adult, and how becoming a mom has grown me. As we face a terminal diagnosis, I have had a major perspective shift.

I watch faith grow in the lives of my children as they pray at the dinner table and ask so many questions. At three, Sara rubbed a cross on the wall of a mausoleum and asked, "Is this where Jesus died?" And I watch them draw scribbles, then circles and sticks.