When I was raising my kiddos - I overheard a tip from someone, who said Susannah had this rule. Kids are to cry quietly. Well - when reading a blog the other day - I found this list. Apparently - crying quietly didn't make this list. That's funny... I wonder if I made that rule up. LOL Anyway - it works... I've taught my children to cry quietly. It's very helpful - no screaming, or wailing...it cuts down on the manipulating crying and whining. BUT - if there is a reason for wailing... then you know it's serious. No screaming if there is no blood, flood, or fire. That's my rule, whether it's Susannah's or not.
Well... enjoy.
16 House Rules by Susannah Wesley (John Wesley's Mom)
Here are 16 rules she laid down in her home.
1. Eating between meals not allowed.
2. As children they are to be in bed by 8 p.m.
3. They are required to take medicine without complaining.
4. Subdue self- will in a child, and those working together with God to save the child's soul.
5. To teach a child to pray as soon as he can speak.
6. Require all to be still during Family Worship.
7. Give them nothing that they cry for, and only that when asked for politely.
8. To prevent lying, punish no fault which is first confessed and repented of.
9. Never allow a sinful act to go unpunished.
10. Never punish a child twice for a single offense.
11. Comment and reward good behavior.
12. Any attempt to please, even if poorly performed, should be commended.
13. Preserve property rights, even in smallest matters.
14. Strictly observe all promises.
15. Require no daughter to work before she can read well.
16. Teach children to fear the rod.
1. Eating between meals not allowed.
2. As children they are to be in bed by 8 p.m.
3. They are required to take medicine without complaining.
4. Subdue self- will in a child, and those working together with God to save the child's soul.
5. To teach a child to pray as soon as he can speak.
6. Require all to be still during Family Worship.
7. Give them nothing that they cry for, and only that when asked for politely.
8. To prevent lying, punish no fault which is first confessed and repented of.
9. Never allow a sinful act to go unpunished.
10. Never punish a child twice for a single offense.
11. Comment and reward good behavior.
12. Any attempt to please, even if poorly performed, should be commended.
13. Preserve property rights, even in smallest matters.
14. Strictly observe all promises.
15. Require no daughter to work before she can read well.
16. Teach children to fear the rod.
ON DISCIPLINE
Susannah Wesley believed that for a child to grow into a self-disciplined adult, he/she must first be a parent-disciplined child. To her, the stubborn flesh was the hardest battle for Christians to fight, and Godly parents would do well to equip their children to overcome it early.
She writes:
How did you teach your children to cry quietly? I'm having the hardest time teaching my 2 1/2 year old that he doesn't have to scream when he cries (which wakes everyone up at night!). I feel insensitive whenever I tell him to stop crying completely, so it would be really helpful if he would be quieter!
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