This is the very first-ever blog of this 50-something grandma! (see, I don't even know yet how to turn off the underline!!) Perhaps, I'll learn how to fancy-up this blog with pictures and links and such...or maybe not! I am not on Facebook or Twitter to my daughter-in-law's chagrin; I don't text and don't miss it. And, I only use my old flip phone for...well, a phone!

But, I know parenting and I know children and I know God's will is to bless families. I have written (with pen and paper!!) parenting curriculum and taught parenting classes for courts and churches for many years. I have a passion and an annointing for families, even yours.

Now, I'll share a bit with you per this new-fangled blog. Thanks to EUM Church, Greenville, Ohio for helping me get started.

Be assured that I pray for every reader, so today, I'm praying for you!

Love You (yes, I do),

Mimi (Grandkids call me this treasured name!)

Parenting Blog - No Whining

Good parents know the difference between a cry of pain or fear and the maddening whine!

Most of us get irritated, some too easily, at the sound of a whining child. Have you ever heard (or said), “Stop that whining or I'll give you something to whine about.” Of course, this is usually just a parent's tired effort to warn the child we are weary of that mode of communication.

Here's a couple tactics may help avoid or cut off whining quickly: Stop what you are doing, get eye level with the child, quietly ask her to use her words and explain her discomfort. If she's too young to speak, calmly check the friction points of most humans: temperature, wet or dry, tired, hungry, thirsty, sad or mad. And here's one: uncomfortable clothing. You may be surprised how straightening that wrinkled and “biting” sock may relieve a toddler!

But this blog isn't about a whining child, but the whining parent. (Where do you think kids hear whining in the first place?) Since parental authority seems to be out of style these days, you often hear an exasperated and exaggerated sigh, “Da-a-a-arlin' will you pleaeaease listen to me!” You can almost hear the parents' eyeballs rolling in their heads! How many times do you beg your child to obey before you expect her to?

A variation of whining is asking a child's permission to give parental direction.

“Go brush your teeth, OK?”

“Stop hitting your sister, OK?”

“Why don't you buckle your seat belt for daddy?”

“Do you feel like... is it on your schedule... may I interrupt your important little life to implore...???”

Parents, give up the whining! Give wise instructions to your children with calm authority. Expect her obedience. Your kids need your leadership not your friendship! Time enough for that when the kids are 30!

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right and you shall have a long life on the earth.”

Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:30