A Great Start
I want to share “The Haroldsen Family Song” that I wrote the night after the seminar. Our family talked about creating a mission statement, but since that is going to take some time, I wanted something ‘right now!’ to pull us into the right frame of mind. I penned these words to be sung to the tune of “America the Beautiful.” We sing it together often and it has even stopped a couple of sibling fights. Enjoy!
The Haroldsens, the Haroldsens
Our family we adore!
We work and play in harmony
And love forevermore.
With happy hearts and helping hands
We learn and serve and grow.
With faith and hope and charity
We’ll conquer every foe!
Beverli-
Your song is so AWESOME! You are definitely a success story from the seminar. You are starting with the right thing, the spirit. If you can keep it in your home, you can change hearts and strengthen souls. The first step is that they have to recognize when it is there and when it isn’t. I am so impressed with your ingenuity!
Way to Go!
Nicholeen
Go, Haroldsons!!
I just wanted to share a neat little conversation with 10yod tonight while we were cleaning the dinner dishes. She said, “You know that when you ask 4yod and 6yos to like, go make their bed. They whine and don’t want to do it, but if you say, ‘William, I’m going to give you an instruction. Please go make your bed.’ Than they say ‘OK’ and go do it right away.!” I praised her tons for making and sharing this observation and we talked about how interesting that was. I think the difference is that we practice how to receive an instruction in our family meeting and we practice it once in a while. It seems to give them permission to respond respectfully (having practiced the calm voice, calm face, say ok, go do it, return and report). Just saying the words, “I’m going to give you an instruction” is a phenominal 1 second pre-teach that gets the kids mind ready to listen and respond and since we’ve role played earlier in a good spirit, it comes easy to them and they know what to do!!!!!!!
We love ‘Teaching Self Government’!!!
Kaisie:))