Children

Be Builders!



How often have we heard this one. But have we ever put it together with children?



My husband reminds me of this often. I thank God for all He has done with my husband; making him a leader of the family. There are days when I have 4 of the grandchildren; usually just weekends during school. The one is a special needs child who is menatlly challenged. He needs someone with lots of patience, understanding, and a lot of time. Something neither of us has the much of. But we are trying really hard.

The next to the last time we had him with us, our patience was running dry. He has gotten into the habit of talking back and smarting off to us. Something neither of us tolerates very well. I know, shame on us.

Well this particular day we did not deal with it very well. We make it a point to come up with, "How could you handle this situation better; What can you do instead of this; Can you think of a better way to react?" And the list goes on. We are trying to do away with words such as don't, no, that's wrong, stop it, etc.

So that night, hubby and I discussed what we needed to do. We prayed about it and voila! God is so good. And of course, "be builders" came up.We had the patience, used positive reinforcement and worked with him. We made sure when he listened and done well that we praised him for it. It turned out to be a beautiful day.

You see, he is unable to eat without having it all over him and all over the floor etc. He is unable to go to the bathroom be it peeing or a BM without getting it everywhere. Believe me, with an infant, a preschooler and a first grader who is having some emotional struggles lately, the preschooler going through a serious tantrum stage, it wears thin after a while.

But, the point is, "he can not help" what he does. We have to constantly remind ourselves of this. My heart goes out to him, as he has a mother who does not beleive there is anything wrong with him, and father who ignores it, my daughter who is too overwhelmed to deal with it often times and feels guilty--she does try to talk the father into getting him help--and teachers that keeping saying he needs help. So if you all could pray for him it would be greatly appreciated. He is a very loving child who gives out compliments all the time and loves Jesus! Praise the Lord for that. We've been taking him to church with us as well when he is here.