If I ever need a second career, it most certainly could be as a referee. Maybe in wrestling or boxing. After all, I spend so much of my day breaking up fights and resolving conflicts. My life experience should add up to a lot on my resume. Don’t you think?
All kidding aside, my boys argue about anything and everything. It’s an issue we have been working on and praying about for a while. The thing with prayer is, often when you pray about something, God then gives you ample learning opportunities. Everyone jokes that you shouldn’t pray for patience because God will give you opportunities to learn practice. Well, in my case, since praying for my boys and their conflicts, I’ve been given plenty of opportunities to work with my children on it.
Recently the boys were arguing together over who would get to do something first. I don’t know if this happens in your house, but in mine, they will even argue about who gets to brush their teeth first at night. On this occasion, they were arguing about who got computer time first that day. Did I mention I was driving at the time?
I interrupted their argument and said, “We need an agreeable solution. I want you to consider how you can glorify God in this. Each of you pray in your heart, asking God how you can find a way to resolve this conflict.
A moment of silence passed and then my oldest said, “Ian goes first.”
This summer, we are using this curriculum: The Young Peacemaker (Book Set)
. This curriculum uses illustrated stories about real life conflicts children are likely to face. It teaches children how to deal with conflict Biblically. It’s a complete curriculum that can be used at home, church, or school. So far, the kids enjoy it and we’ve had great discussions about their own conflicts. They have role played how to handle conflicts and have even evaluated examples of conflict in scripture. It is my prayer that what they learn sinks deep into their heart. Though I know it also means there will be more and more opportunities to practice!
. This was our first year doing Apologia and we loved it! I learned as much as my son. Doing the accompanying lapbook made the learning even more fun and helped my son retain what he had learned.
. The spelling curriculum we used last year was unremarkable and disappointing. I have been so pleased with A Reason for Spelling! There is a story at the beginning of each lesson about a class of students. The stories incorporate a Biblical lesson, often a godly character trait or lesson in faith. The spelling words learned that week come from the story. The curriculum provides opportunity for kinesthetic learners as well (my son spelled his words with pipe cleaners, play dough, and even Scrabble Cheez-Itz).
