Question About Anger and Pouty Young Children
Dear Mr. Hamby,
My husband and I have been listening to your Life Transforming Seminars. Maybe you could shed some light on this for us. We have six children all under twelve. We continue to strive to have their hearts. It seems to me that somewhere around age 4 to 5 in our house we can clearly see anger (ex: pouty lips, repeated disobedience on simple things, fussing at siblings, not willingly helping with tasks) Now I realize that any on these on a single basis might not be anger, but this has been a pattern for us. We then (husband and I) say "hey, what is going on, what did we miss, how do we woo them back to us????" Then we do, by God's grace draw them back, each one has been different, because each child is very different. We have a very open loving relationship with our 11, 7, and 6yr olds, and our 2.5, and 1 yr old. What is happening from age 3.5-5???? What are we repeatedly doing that would cause this? Oh, also, towards the end of this time all of our older children have made a profession of Faith in Christ with much fruit to follow.
Blessings,
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Dear Mother:
It doesn't sound like you are doing anything wrong. It sounds like your children go through a testing period and during this time, you just need to stay consistent with gracious and gentle discipline (but firm). As long as you stay consistent with them during this phase, they will most likely conform. This doesn't not mean that you have won their heart over to Christ, but at least their behavior will be in step with what you desire. Their heart is in the hands of God. And you and your husband, have the privilege of drawing them to the savior. Again, it sounds like you are going in the right direction. You may want to lower you expectations for your young ones, but raise your tolerance and love. I recommend having your children listen to Patch the Pirate and Bible Stories for Little Ears. Also a good book for you and your husband to read is titled: Marriage to a Difficult Man. The title is misleading. You will read about Sarah Edwards and her marriage to Jonathan Edwards and her parenting model to her 8 children. What an incredible model!
Hope this is helpful,
Mark Hamby
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Thank you Mr. Hamby for your time, and your recommendations. I did get a really good laugh about reading Marriage to a Difficult Man, however I would like to read the book. I have been a devoted reader since I was young, however, a new child every other year has put my reading on the back burner sort of speak. Some of your staff at the FPEA convention recommended several books and we have been reading Teddy's Button for a half hour each school day. The kids love it, and I must admit....... I was very glad to find a way to encourage my sometimes very weary self and entertain my children beyond measure!!!!!! The Little Lamb is next and I hope to always be reading, cuddling and growing together with the kids.
Thank you,
