Habits

Habits are hard to break (as anyone who has ever tried to break a bad one will know). What we don't tend to think about is that good habits are just as hard to break. I believe that if our children are settled into good habits at an early age these habits will guide them through the turbulent years later on. Just as railroad tracks guide a train, so our habits guide our lives. Think about how many things we do "out of habit"-its amazing! So I am in the process (looong process) of training my children in good habits.

I'm sure this has never happened at your house, but this is a scenario of what happens here. "Breck, go clean your room" is followed by much dawdling and little cleaning on his part, which is followed by chiding and frustration on my part. Being able to do a job quickly and efficiently, whether its getting dressed, cleaning a room or doing homework is a virtue and should become a habit at an early age. So I set out to train both Breck (6) and Autumn (4) in this.

This is what I did:
1. I explained to them that they are to clean their rooms and get dressed first thing in the morning before playing.
2. They are to have this done by breakfast time (8:30) or they get no breakfast. (My children think its cruel and unusual punishment to have to skip a meal!)
3. I bought an egg timer so they can visualize the time going by, since neather one can tell time yet.

This has resulted in jobs done in a timely manner (for the most part), less frustration on my part and a cleaner house. The most important thing is that they are learning a habit that will stay with them for life. I am using this principle for different jobs during the day. I set the timer for plenty of time to finish the job and then if they are not done when the timer goes off, there are consequences. The consequences vary. One particular child has missed breakfast twice this week. The important thing is to stick to the consequences...you must not pity them when they fail! Over time they will automatically start to do the jobs quickly without needing the timer or consequences...it will become a habit.

Actions lead to habits and habits when formed become a person's character.