Do unto others...

It always amazes me how much my younger two want to be like their big brother. This would be great except for one problem: my oldest is my 'strong-willed' child and doesn't always display the best behavior. His frustrations come out in very violent ways - he's a hitter. Whenever somebody does something he doesn't approve of he hits them. Lately we've been able to at least slow down the hitting. When he gets mad he'll yell, "that's it, I'm going to my room" and then storm off and shut himself into his bedroom. It works well because he has time to cool off and the offending sibling doesn't get a beat down.

Well, now my Micah has started doing the same. If he's told 'no' or 'not yet' he yells the same thing, in a much cuter voice, and then storms off to his room. This copy-cat routine is fine but now, both Micah & Shaelyn, are starting to take on the hitting.

We always try to jump in and stop the situation/frustration before the hit can happen. But, we also want our kids to learn to resolve their problems amongst themselves without always needing a mediator.

We explain that hitting hurts and is not ok. We give alternative options for relieving their frustrations. We try to model problem-solving techniques. Yet, nothing seems to be working!

So, instead of going straight to Gods word I headed there last. Once again, I'm using the Bible as a last resort vs a first call for help. Thank God for grace as I'm slowly learning where my rescue lies! Anyway, I dug into the word and found three verses the kids are memorizing as a way to remind themselves what Jesus says about hurting another.

Ephesians 4: 31-32
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
-We made it kid language by teaching them this version:
'Get rid of all anger, frustration and fighting. Be nice to each other and forgive like Jesus forgave YOU'!!!

Romans 12:21
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 7:12
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
-Again, summed up as the 'Golden Rule' Do unto others as you want them to do to you!

We're working on it. We just keep praying for wisdom as Parents and we pray with Cobi for strength to BE NICE!!

How do you deal with negative behavior, mainly violence?