Good morning my bloggy friends! Just a quick update on my gramps - we did move him into a nursing home since the doctors cannot figure out why the lower half of his body is paralyzed. Please continue to keep him and grams in your prayers as this is a huge transition for them after being married and living in the same house for 65 years. I believe that nothing is impossible with God and that He will bring healing and my gramps will dance for joy.

I told you on Monday that I attended an excellent parenting class on Saturday. I would like to take the next few days to share little bits and pieces of what I learned so you may have the opportunity to apply the principles to your parenting life.

The place of the family - principles:
1. A husband and wife are a family. Even when children are added, this is the priority relationship in the family.
2. Quality of the parent/child relationship depends on the husband and wife relationship.
3. All other relationships are subject to the marriage relationship.

Problems caused by child-centered parenting:
1. Children become selfishly independent
2. It diminishes the importance of the husband and wife relationship
3. Minimizes communication between husband and wife unless it focuses on the children

Recommendation:

Take 15 minutes of "couch time" with your spouse each night. This means uninterrupted conversation between you and your spouse while the children are still awake! Teach them to allow you to have this time each day while it is still early enough that you are not exhausted and ready for bed. This is a skill that your children can learn, but you will have to be very determined in teaching them - no interruptions/without exceptions.

Just a little tid-bit for you to chew on today. Is your marriage relationship a priority?

Have a great day and take the opportunity for some "couch time"
Christie