Teaching a Happy Heart-Attitude

I've made an observation.

ALL kids have minds of their own and want their own way.

Some are stronger-willed than others, but they will all try, at one point or another, to "buck the system."

I've made another observation.

What never would have been tolerated in generations past, is now being encouraged, or ignored at best.

I'm talking about a rebellious, stubborn spirit in a child.

"Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child..."

- Proverbs 22:15

Contrary to popular modern-day opinion, children are not wise and do not know what's best.

It is our job as parents to train and correct them.

"Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction drives it far from him."

- Proverbs 22:15

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

- Proverbs 22:6

I've said to my children more times than I could possibly count, "I am your mother. I know what is right and best. I expect obedience with a happy heart-attitude."

When my children were babies and toddlers I was militant in training them to obey me.

I never allowed them to say "no" to me.

I considered that a serious offense!

It can seem cute when a little child shouts "no" to his mother, and it's very tempting to think it is harmless at such a young age.

But what a child is at two, he will be at fifteen, if his faults are not corrected.

My baby and toddler years are now over, and I am so glad I taught my children to obey me with a happy heart-attitude!

It certainly is a lot of hard, frustrating work when they're young, but the Lord rewards those who diligently do what is right.

"Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul."

Proverbs 29:17

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

- Galatians 6:9

So, if you are a young mother reading this, I would encourage you... do not be afraid to go against the grain of today's culture. 

You do not have to live a defeated life in this area.

YOU are the mother!

What you say, goes!

This is good and healthy, and makes for a very peaceful home.

Expect your children to respond to you respectfully. And administer a consequence when they don't.

I would get down on my child's level, eye to eye, and firmly say, "Your response shows me that you do not have the right heart-attitude. I want you to have a happy heart! I expect that you obey me with a happy heart-attitude!"

Sometimes their emotions are so out of control that swift discipline may need to be applied. Or they may need to be sent to their room to cool down.

Other times they quickly shape up and I can see a change of heart immediately. When that's the case, I simply allow them a do-over. I repeat the instruction and when they reply agreeably, I smile at them and remind them that this is what I expect every time!

Homelife should be peaceful and pleasant, but chaos reigns when parents have no control.

Let's take back our God-given place, mamas!

We can do it!

"The beauty and power of home life is hard to overestimate. Godly women are called to take responsibility for this realm. In doing so, they build homes with an investment in labor and love for beauty and stability that would make a home a center of the ministry of the church; a source of peace for all who enter there."

- Lori Alexander

I hope I have encouraged you today!

xo,

 ~ Courtney ~

Making Elderberry Syrup

We've put in a full week of school so far.

It's been going great! 

It sure feels good to settle into a school routine again.

But it's always sad to bid another summer farewell, isn't it?...

Thankfully the homeschooling life allows much free time.

"The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things."

~ Plato

Life has been very well here at the Downs' farmhouse.

Our hens are still laying beautiful, colored eggs...

Roman's still working on the illustrations for my book...

And I've been trying to make good, nourishing meals as often as I can...

Recently, I discovered a recipe for homemade elderberry syrup and decided to give it a try.

We've had elderberry bushes on our property all these years, but this is the first time I've ever done anything with the berries.

Did you know that elderberries have long been used for medicinal purposes?

They are not safe to eat raw, but once cooked they can be used as a dietary supplement.

I've read that elderberries are helpful for minor diseases like the common cold or flu.

This is the recipe I found on-line...

~ 3C fresh or 1.5C dried elderberries

~ 3C water

~ 1C raw local honey (I used 3/4C and it's still very sweet.)

~ 1-4 cinnamon sticks

~ 3-5 whole cloves

After I foraged for my berries, I had to separate them from the stems and leaves, and wash them thoroughly.

This was the worst part.

Not hard work, just time consuming.

Elsa helped me.

Her job was to pick out any green berries.

I had planned ahead for this project, and purchased a juice container for my finished result.

I made sure the berries and the container were washed really well.

The recipe says to place the berries, water, and spices in a pan and bring to a boil...

Once it's at a low boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

Smash the berries to release the remaining juice, then strain the mixture.

After 30 minutes of cooking, the berries look like they have given up on life, haha...

All their color is gone...

Allow the liquid to cool before stirring in the honey...

And ta-da!... My elderberry syrup is ready for cold and flu season!

I read that this will last stored in the fridge for 2-3 months.

But I really don't think mine will last that long.

I've been feeding it to my children each morning with their breakfast...

And I drink a teaspoon of it in my tea each night at bedtime...

I think I might walk back out to my bushes to see if I can find more berries to make a second batch before winter.

But truthfully, I saw elderberry syrup in the homeopathic/vitamin section at Walmart just the other day, haha... That sure seems like the easier way to go!

What kinds of tricks do you do for your family to stay healthy this time of year?

Have you ever tried making elderberry syrup?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

Until next time friends,

xo,

~ Courtney ~