I think one of the most important things we can develop as a parent and model for our children is self-control. 

Self- control shines in so many areas of life:

• In Our Words.  How can we use our words like the pearls they should be? 
• In Our Actions.  Our actions reflect what we are louder than anything else and become the foundation of what our children think is right and wrong.
• In Our Thoughts.  How do we expect our children to be positive when all we are thinking are grumpy, negative and complaining thoughts?
• In Buying.  When we have the “gimmies” and nothing is ever enough, our children pick up on this attitude.
• In Work.  How lazy are we?  How many hours a day do we spend on the computer compared to how many hours we do practical work with our hands?  What do our children see us doing all day long?
• In Eating and Exercising and Taking Care of Our Bodies. 
• In Being Home and Being Out.   Must we do everything, be everywhere, make sure our children experience everything before they are fifteen?  Is this healthy?
• In Flexibility. Can we be flexible or do we fall apart when things don’t go as we planned?
• With Boundaries.  Are we good boundary-setters for our children, and for ourselves with other adults?  It is one thing to be polite and kind  and it is quite another to just offer ourselves up to be torn apart by others.

In what other ways can you  think of issues of self-control impacting your life?

Many blessings,

Carrie