Over the last week, there has been too much video time happening in our house.  Between children being sick and me just plain “end of year tired”, videos are the easy option.  Sunday night I started to see a slip in attitudes, initiative and obedience (different things for different children). 

I said to Daniel, “Tomorrow there WILL BE less TV until you get your obedience back!”  He nodded in agreement and started to work on his obedience straight away!  Which just goes to show that the kids do know when they slip, they do know the standard we expect, and they can do it!  It is just we, the parents, who let things slide and they, the kids, take the easy way offered to them.

I also observed within the other kids a desire to get away from the Videos.  Mid-to-late afternoon they seemed to give themselves a shake and headed for the family room.  Nomi came to me and said “I’ve just gotta paint, can I?”  She has been itching to paint since our visit to the art gallery last weekend.  So she pulled out her design sketches and started painting.  Jess painted some wrapping paper for Christmas.  Josh was busy researching and writing about animals.

Monday is going to be a challenging day – getting things back into a regular swing.  It will be no TV/Videos/Computers till the afternoon.  I will be directing Daniel and Nomi’s activities carefully.  We are on a holiday routine but I still expect the children to be productive with their time, and self-disciplined with their choices.

These are my goals for Monday:

One on One devotions with Daniel and Nomi first up in the morning

Chore training

Office work for me, kids play outside and then a board game

Advent devotion time

Painting gift-wrap and wrapping presents

Lunch, Chores, Rest, quiet play

Free time while I go to town to post the last of our parcels

Dinner at the table!