Bright Lights/Not so Big City

Before Kelsie left yesterday, they watched the Bright Lights video: "Making Brother's and Sisters Best Friends".
Can we say, freaky homeschooler types?
But true to what I expected, the material was superb. I am glad we got to do something spiritually profitable while she was here. I had big plans. But you know how that goes.
She was supposed to stay until the weekend until we found out she had three projects due for school on MONDAY. Sheesh, kids.
Another public school testimony: She reported school is boring, dangerous and drug infested. Pregnant girls abound and alcohol use among her age group is prevalent. She says it is more a matter of survival than learning and the teachers are on the most part completely uninterested in the kids or their jobs. Ouch. She and her two sisters are doing pretty well I think due to a high level participation in sports.

Anyway, back to the video. This video was very affirming. I have been accused, upon occasion, of micro managing the kids. Lol But I love that that old proverbial pudding is proving out.

The video explained how little irritations left unchecked can grow into divisiveness between sibs. So I am glad that I didn't let all the "little" things go unchecked. Now I don't have to hear all the bickering, fighting and arguing. But there is still SO MUCH work to be done. In all of us yes, but my CALLING is to guide and mold those kids. We are beginning the Mom/Daughter Bright Lights discipleship program and I cannot wait to see the fruit of it! I'll keep everyone updated.

Things that stuck out the girls were:

Humility. Repaying evil with kindness. One girl had a pencil roll off her desk and another girl picked it up and said it was hers. She later went and got advice from a parent assuming the parent would call the teacher, etc. But instead she took the girl to the store and bought a pack of special pencils to give to the other girl the next day as a gift. A great surprise to the offending party and the girl was super friendly and wanting to be her best friend after that.

Praise: Seeing how amazing praise can work with sibs. A little attention goes a long way. This is highly evident with my hubby who is away a lot now. Whenever he gives ANY attention to the girls, they beam. If Sloan gives any attention to Lauren, she nearly shines like the sun. Etc. Etc.

To me, their analogy of a fish hook struck me. They were using it to reference irritations between sibs but I saw it as sin. The hook of sin enters easily but the barb at the end of it makes it ridiculously difficult to extricate. But it MUST be done. Wah, hah hah.
Man, am I whiny today.