Sometimes there are so many topics and areas of childrearing I want to talk about, particularly now during this pandemic when we are together 24/7. Juan and I have been taking a James Dobson course called Essentials of Discipline with a few couples from our mission agency. It has been so encouraging and motivating. Although, Juan and I read all of Dobson’s books before we had kids, there is nothing better then having REAL and authentic parenting conversations and being honest and open about this parenting process with other missionaries who live a similar lifestyle as we do. It has shown us areas where we are really strong in our parenting and other areas where we need to strengthen. Tonight, the Lord blessed us with a little bit of fruit from our prayers and intentional parenting. When Emma chose to make the right decision to obey tonight, we celebrated her right choice and told her she made Jesus really happy. Emma instantly got excited and ran over to the Bible verse on the wall and pointed and read the Bible verse pointing to the images.
Our big phrase this month, is obeying because it makes Jesus happy, “pleases the Lord” portion of the verse. Everything we tie back to the verse and whether she is making Jesus happy with her actions and attitudes. Parenting is exhausting, there were four or five rounds of consequences today y’all, but when we see her tie her choices back to scripture it refreshes our hearts to know that His word is POWERFUL and that our loving discipline does have a PURPOSE! Parenting toddlers, especially strong willed ones like Emma, is HARD, but it is so important we are consistent. We must be intentionally balancing having FUN with our children, strengthening a strong relationship of love and laughter, but teaching our children we are in control through discipline when they defy or disobey us. It must happen now, because later on their submission to the Lord will be extremely difficult. On another note, Juan challenged me today to evaluate how my Mama’s Bilingual Play-school is really having an affect to further the gospel. He challenged me to incorporate more scripture in the materials I make and never underestimate how the Word of God in them can lead others to Christ. This began to really deepen a conviction I had been feeling the last few days about my purpose and motive in selling my material. Although, I do believe my material is amazing QUALITY and I spend DAYS creating the materials that I do and over the last few weeks I have been reaping the reward of that. I have been making up to three sales a DAY!!! Praise the Lord for His blessings, but I decided to change my approach to my TpT store. I decided I will be making everything for FREE. Yes, even my 30+ pages and 14+ bilingual themed activity packs will be for free. Most teachers sell these packs for $3-5 dollars. If I can reach more people even on an academic level, maybe their interest will spark in the spiritual element that I want to pour into my blog and my materials. So, for the little followers that I have and the few people that might take interest, you can check my FREE store of Bilingual material for your children and students at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mamas-Bilingual-Play-school.
This month I am adding James 1:19 to our Bible Think Space. This verse is what we as a FAMILY all need to be working on!!!! The verse will be filled with graphics as my last set, check in to my next blog post for the verse in English and Spanish, I hope our little ones will run to the Bible verse with excitement when they see it lived out in their own lives. Happy parenting!!!
Mama's Bilingual Play-School 