Obedience: Tips for children

This is a helpful list to help Ethan learn how to obey completely, because he was delaying acting or being grumpy and I wanted him to learn full obedience early, the right way. After reading four points of obedience from the Duggar's Biography (large family who were devoted Christians and also homeschooled), I wanted a list that was easy to remember and captured all that I am trying to teach Ethan. It is similar to the Duggars, but I changed a few and added a few and grouped them so they made sense easily for me. I also added the A, B, C's and the five senses, so you can easily do motions or point to the part associated. Each time the child obeys with these principles, he gets a high five (exception is D). Then five high fives gets a treat.

So here's what we do....

Obedience: High Fives
Act Now

• hands: clap! clap!--don't delay

Be Exact

• ears: listen--100%

Cheerfully Do All Things--no excuses

• eyes: of faith/trust in parents' rules--happy eyes/no eye-rolling
• mouth: used for good--"yes ma'm"/no whining/smile
• nose: breathe and act calmly/no anger

Do More--occasionally exceed expectations/"go the 2nd mile" (after age 8? deserves more praise!)

• Thoughts: Think about the task and what more you can do/give
• Heart: Feel gratitude for the experience 

Endure to the End

• Whole Self: Return & Report to show accountability/responsibility

----High Five of Obedient child meets high five of parent...
Feel Loved (parents initiate this part)

• Wholeness/Unity (gift and the giver unite)
• Praise, praise, praise! Try not to always base things on gift-type rewards or superficial compliments, but first try to give them praise for displaying good character attributes (honesty, kindness, etc.) and use your enthusiasm as a reward. Tell the child they should be proud of themselves. Occasionally you can add in more materialistic type rewards--but try to motivate mostly with love and gratitude, which are the greatest and most pure motivations.