Re: Basic Assumptions of GD
GBD is about treating our children as collaborators, whenever possible, instead of automatically as adversaries. Working with them rather than against them also recognizes that they may someday be our brothers/sisters in Christ and will someday be adults and "equal" to us in society no matter what their beliefs.
It's also about showing our children the fruit of the spirit - showing them love, gentleness, self-control, patience, kindness - rather than being harsh and demanding towards them.
GBD is also (for me, at least) about recognizing that *I* have trouble with big feelings. *I* have trouble being patient. *I* have trouble taking orders. Why would I expect my children to have an easier time doing those things when they're barely more than babies and I'm an adult?
I also think that it's important to recognize that child development isn't an excuse or just a result of the fall, it's the way that God created children to grow and learn. A normal child simply cannot get from point B (birth) to point G (grown-up) without going through the usual stages of development.
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Barefooting through life with dh (2003), dd1 (11/05), dd2 (7/07), dd3 (11/09), and ds (8/13).
Unless explicitly stated otherwise, any views or opinions presented in the above posts are solely those of BarefootBetsy, the GCM member, and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of anyone else in the entire world.
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