Obedience #2

As promised here are thoughts on obedience from the book Laying Down the Rails A Charlotte Mason Handbook by Sonya Schafer Charlotte Mason believed that Obedience is more important than academics and should be instilled before diving into the books. She taught obedience the first time and believed that if mothers expected immediate obedience from their children, then, the children would obey immediately. She also learned that children should be taught to obey by the time they are one year old. (Something I have also learned with my kids) She also talks about allowing children to appeal respectfully and bending on some areas that are non-essential. Giving the child motivation to obey of their own initiative and teaching them the habit of obedience. Here are some Questions to ask about obedience:
  • Do I make obedience top priority, even more important than academics?
  • Am I treating willfulness the same as disobedience?
  • Do I realise that I am on assignment from God to teach my children to obey?
  • Is my child moving toward desiring to obey?
  • Am I trying to use a quiet but firm voice to tell my children to do something?
  • Do I insist on prompt, cheerful, lasting obedience, every time?
  • Am I learning to not give a command that I do not intend to see carried out to the full?
  • Am I giving so many commands that my child feels pestered?
  • Am I gracious enough to yield occasionally on matters that are not crucial if my child appeals respectfully?
  • Am I seeking to teach my child obedience by the time he is one year old?
  • Do  I see training my child in obedience as helping him accomplish much in his future life?
  • Is my child learning to respond to his conscience?
  • Am I giving reasons for my commands when appropriate, or do I feel trapped into giving reasons every time?
  • Am I striving to make transitions between activities smooth by giving my child a set amount of time to prepare for the change?
  • Is my child learning taht discipline brings freedom and that obedience is delightful and dignified?
  • Is my child moving toward choosing to obey all authority in his life?
"Little children must be trained in the obedience of habit, but every gallant boy and girl has learned to choose to obey all who are set in authority."

Gallant- brave, spirited, noble-minded, or chivalrous: a gallant knight; a gallant rescue attempt. (dictionary.com)

Comments

Ash said…
This is some good stuff, I have a hard time with obedience because I am aware of how easy it is to harm your child's will and I don't want to be the parent on their case every 2 seconds but there are important areas to discipline but teaching obedience is tricky to encourage them to want to obey and some kids just have stubborn wills that do want to obey and that's a whole other area. I think this topic is very interesting though and I guess my biggest fear is destroying their will and inner self. I don't want them to obey because I said so that's not enough for me there always has to be a good reason. Sounds like a good book to read though! Have to check it out.
September 28, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Amanda said…
God will lead you, Ash. Every mom is going to have different ways to form the habit of obedience in their child, and yes, every child is different. Good luck! I'd love to continue the conversation when I see you in NOV! Love you. Sis
September 29, 2012 at 5:46 AM
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