Have you ever been part of a production, a play or show? Then you know success is inextricably tied to rehearsal time. Bethany and I just spent 5 days before school started “rehearsing” the first day of school. We went in twice a day, found her locker, opened her locker, met her teachers, practiced their names, walked the hallways, checked out the bathrooms, got the printed schedule, read the schedule and followed the path to each of her classrooms. By the end of the fifth day, she was friends with all the teachers, smiling and beaming, because she could easily open her locker, navigate the hallways, and didn’t need anyone to show her how to get to any of her classes.
Sooooo worth it! Today- the 1st day was a Triumph!
rehearsal + repetition = Victory
I didn’t realize how much I expected my children to “understand” how to behave without instruction until Bethany. Having a child with special needs, quickly taught me that Repeat and Rehearse and Repeat are the foundation of learning.
Grocery Store– eye contact- then “Hey Beth, we’re going to the grocery store. Remember- we stay together, make decisions together, check out together. pause- Can you repeat what I just said? :)”
Dinner- eye contact- then “Bethany- we get to go to Sonic tonight after Dazzlers. Let’s remember healthy choices- only 1 sandwich and no soda pop. pause- what’s the plan girl?”
WalMart- eye contact- then- I just want to remind us what we’re going in for today Bethie- Mommy has 
a list, and you don’t need anything today. So remember, we’re going to stay together, be cheerful, and check out together. Next time, might be the time you get something. pause- Give me the list of how its going down 🙂 ”
Church- eye contact – Today is God’s day! We’re going to listen and learn- praise Him, and love on everybody we see! what’s up today? whose day is it?
When meeting someone- eye contact- “Bethany, when you meet someone you need to try to look in their eyes, smile back at them, and say, Nice to meet you.” hey- you want to practice?
And of course our 4 L’s for school- we say everyday before she goes in- What are we gonna do today? (we sign 4 fingers up then an L in sign language while we chant – “Listen and Learn- Love and be a Light.”
Putting your “rules”, expectations, guidelines out there BEFORE your child goes through a situation is a precursor for their success and you not losing your cool.Take the time to PREPARE them. Its so unfair to expect children to act a certain way when we haven’t clearly communicated our expectations! I constantly review the behavior, choices, decisions, I would like Bethany to make until they become second nature to her! Maybe you think kids should just “know” how to behave- but every child needs to be lovingly instructed and kids with special needs need infinite more instruction. That’s our job- we’re the director- life is the play! You want success for your child?????
rehearse rehearse rehearse-
Listen to this Good News!
This is exactly what God does for us!
We are His children
He wants us to know what to do, what to believe, how to act-
in every situation life brings us!
He doesn’t leave us in the dark- just waiting for us to goof up and yell at us.
He instructs, guides, teaches and patiently,
lovingly goes back over everything until we “get it”.
Everything you’re going through in this life, is a rehearsal-
God is the director and He’s going to make sure you triumph.
Surprising Treasure: Now thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ II Cor. 2:14
Very thoughtful analogy, and good instructions for any parent!! Praying Bethy has a wonderful school year and many more victories!! She will undoubtedly be “teaching” others, herself 😉
♥♥
I wish I would have done more “rehearsing” for our other kids. Usually, I waited until I was stressed out or it was really important. How much better would it be to be continually instructing and giving them tools for success! Today was so funny- she forgot the locker to her key and I thought it was going to domino into a melt-down- but she got a grip and was able to push through the moment. whew 🙂 love ya Mid!
Listen, Love, Learn, Be a Light. I loved that when Cindy and Sarah began reminding the children as they would head out the car and into school.
Our family code is Defend, Protect, Respect, and H-O-N-O-R!
What a delightful lesson for us all! You remind me of a story my dad told. When he was a young man, he asked his little nephew, “Junior, have you given your heart to Jesus?” The little boy turned away to a nearby table, rested his chin in his hands and looked at himself in the mirror while big tears welled up in his eyes. My dad asked him the question again. Junior replied, “I would, if I knew how!”
Yes, how will they learn without a teacher? Would that every child had a mom with such insights and instincts as you have, my dear Cindy. All for Jesus! 🙂
All for Jesus! It took a lot of learning to get here- it would be nice if you could know all this stuff before you become a parent- 🙂 Your story makes my heart squeeze- oh that each child can be told and shown the love of God!
So sweet, Cindy. Eye contact. So important. In all our relationships!!
And the 4 L’s…I’m jotting them down!
Funny, I started off with eye contact with our first, Sarah- then I guess as I got more children and busier- I didn’t always stop what I was doing to focus completely- Soooo important- not to be too busy or talk down to or be irritated with each other as we “relate”. hugs Julie! 🙂