He quickly folded his hands, placed them in his lap, and looked very remorseful, but only for a moment. As soon as I looked back to the preacher, Jonathan rolled out of his seat and began crawling under the pews. That was the last straw. I chased him down, and we left church early.

This was not the first time I left a sermon early because my little Jonathan refused to control himself. But it was the first time that I wondered, if it was beyond the realm of possibility for a three-year-old to sit still and focus for a 45-minute service that was entirely beyond his understanding.

Maybe he was just too young, the service too long, and too boring. And then it occurred to me, maybe he just lacked training?

I lacked self-control until my sophomore year in high school. Then, I was sent to a boarding school in Virginia; a place called Fork Union Military Academy.

There, I, and many other boys just like me, learned self-control in just a few weeks. This amazed our parents, who had been working for years with teachers, principals, councilors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and sometimes even law enforcement; all which had failed to reform us. So, parents thought that our boarding school was working miracles; but we knew the school’s secret was no miracle.

Fork Union Military Academy simply put us all through self-control training.

How Do You Teach Kids Self Control

In the past, our parents and schools always told us to behave, but this was the first time we had been trained to behave. Our school used the same method that militaries have used for hundreds of years, to give soldiers discipline and self-control: the practice of coming to and maintaining attention.

To stand at attention, you must stand up straight, roll your shoulders back, head up, and chin slightly tucked. Put your heels together with toes spaced 45 degrees and clasp your hands at the seams of your pants. You look straight forward, and not just with your head, but also with your eyes. Your face must be void of all expression. You can’t move at all, not even to scratch. And you can’t talk.

You have probably seen soldiers standing at attention during formations or parades. It is not just some traditional display or ceremonial performance.

Fort Union Military Parade

The practice of maintaining attention was developed to take undisciplined, civil men and turn them into disciplined soldiers, with the self-control to tune out all the distractions and temptations of the world, in order to focus on the mission at hand.

In the military, self-control is a matter of life and death. Because war involves the ultimate terrors, pains, sorrow, and chaos, soldiers require the highest levels of self-control.

However, self-control is not only beneficial for soldiers in war. Children need it to learn how to read and write, clean their rooms, and sit through a boring church service.

And so, whenever any parent comes to me seeking advice for anything from teaching kids math or problems with picky-eaters, I always recommend that they start with self-control training, because once children have the ability to control themselves, the learning flows naturally.

A child who can sit still and focus when he is not being entertained, can learn anything he sets his mind to.

Master the art of training character!
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Self Control Game for Kids

That is how I helped my little Jonathan sit through church service. Instead of scolding him time and time again, I had him sit at our dining table for a simple game of attention.

At first, we set a timer for just one minute. We had Jonathan sit up straight, with his eyes forward and his hands at his side, without talking or fidgeting. He failed the first few times, but soon maintaining focus for a minute was too easy.

We made it fun by having his siblings make funny faces or loud noises to try and distract him. We bumped the time to two minutes, and so on, until little Jonathan could control himself as long as he needed.

Try It For A Child With Learning Issues

Many people think self-control is inherent, or tied to a child’s personality or maturity. So, when little children can’t focus on their school work, parents look for external solutions, like ways to make learning more fun, or they hirer special tutors, or even resort to medication, to help their kids focus.

But, self-control is largely a matter of training. The first time you go for a long run, you might get sick, and start cramping, and your muscles may feel like Jello, but there is nothing wrong with you. You don’t need a special coach or medicine, you just need to run more, to increase your body’s strength and endurance.

In the same way, children who can’t control themselves, often need more self-control training. How do you encourage self control in your children?

Check out more Character Development tips!

Get more tips on Parenting and Homeschooling

The post Increase Self Control in Your Kids with One Simple Game! first appeared on True Aim.

Luckily a friend came over with her 6 month old and I witnessed what I thought was a miracle. She laid him down for a nap in my daughter’s crib and he fell asleep without a sound.

What magic potion was this!? What was she giving this child? She was gracious enough to teach me her ways and my children became happy nappers as well, all 6 of them!

Throughout motherhood, I have seen the priceless value of other parents’ experiences and expertise bring little miracles to my life. Some advice I mimicked and other advice I tweaked to fit my parenting and homeschooling style.

That is why I’m excited to bring you a new series! The Mom’s Library parenting and homeschooling series!

The Mom’s Library Series

This is your go-to place for parenting and homeschooling advice from parents and grandparents across the country! Get reliable advice to help you navigate the journey and give you the tools you need to live your best life! Mom’s library will feature popular topics that you don’t want to miss!

Each month, our Mom’s Library bloggers and educators will help you find inspiration and resources you need as a parent or homeschooler! Tune in for stories, tips and tricks, free printables, and more!

In addition to these valuable resources, you can enter to win the monthly giveaway or join in LIVE during our Ask a Homeschooler session on Facebook!

If you’d like to be notified when these posts go live, fill out the form below or get messages via Facebook!

Follow the series on Pinterest by clicking here and following our Mom’s Library Board! Or use #momslibrary on IG!

If you’d like to learn more about how you can participate in the series as a contributor, please fill out an application here.

Mom’s Library Parenting and Homeschooling Series

You don’t have to scour the internet for great resources! Join us for the Mom’s Library Series! Check out our current monthly topics and leave a comment if you’d like us to cover a certain one!

Character Development Series

Summer Reading Series

5-Minute Parenting Tips

Homeschool Styles

We have an amazing lineup of parents, grandparents, educators and homeschooling moms who will be bringing you their experience and expertise! Look for posts starting every Tuesday and Thursday in April!

Remember to fill out the form above or click here to get messages via Facebook to get reminders!

The post The Parenting and Homeschooling Resource You’ve Been Looking For: Mom’s Library! first appeared on True Aim.

Welcome to Mom’s Library

This post is filled with parenting tips, activities for young children, crafts, devotionals, recipes, and more!

Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next Library!

Click here to see all Mom’s Library Posts

This Week’s Featured Posts

5 Scriptures to Pray Over Your Kids

We all know we should pray over our children, but sometimes, it can be hard to figure out where to start. Here are 5 examples to  get you started!

Creating Musical Instruments with Glass Bottles

What a unique and easy way to make music with the kids!

Inside Out Inspired Kids Craft

Am I the only one who absolutely loves Pixar? Check out this adorable craft based on their new movie.

50 Life Science Books for Preschool

Check out this awesome list of 50 life science books for preschool and kindergarten kids!

Would you like to participate?

Please follow me and support your fellow bloggers by visiting some links! Grab a button if you were featured!

* by linking up you give Mom’s Library Bloggers permission to use photos from your post with a link back.

The post Mom’s Library #145 first appeared on True Aim.

Welcome to Mom’s Library!

Filled with parenting tips, activities for young children, craft, devotionals, recipes, and more!

Be sure to subscribe so don’t miss the next Library!
Follow the Mom’s Library Pinterest Board to see all of our featured posts.
Make sure you check out last week’s Mom’s Library for 10 Boredom Busters.

This week’s featured posts…

Summer Reading Board Game Chart

  Do your kids love games?  Mine do!  So I am definitely trying this one out.

Summer Reading Challenge

  Kids love competition!

 Caterpillar Reading Chart

  This is a cheerful motivation.  Add prizes and it will become a summer tradition.

Homemade Listening Center

  Make your own books on tape for young readers.  

Tips and Tricks for Reading to Toddlers

  I’ve used many of these tricks and they really work!

Children’s Books for Summer

  Some of the best picks for early childhood.  

Summer Devotionals for Busy Moms

  Summer reading is for adults too!  If you aren’t subscribed to these 1 minute devotionals, you are missing out! For more reading and writing activities like me on Facebook or follow me on Pinterest!

Would you like to participate?

Please Follow me! Support your fellow bloggers and visit 2 other links. If you would like to be a Librarian please contact me!   If you were featured please grab a button.

The post Summer Reading Inspiration and Mom’s Library #47 first appeared on True Aim.

Welcome to Mom’s Library!

Our Weekly Giveaway:

CraftProjectIdeas.com Prize Pack!

Make meaningful memories with CraftProjectIdeas.com!

Enter the rafflecopter below to win a Craft Supply Prize Pack.

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This week’s featured posts…

Stegosaurus Preschool Math Craft

Practice counting and  fine motor skills with your children’s favorite dinosaur.      

Shark Lapbook

Lapbooks are like DIY pop-up books.  Your children will love looking through it over and over again.  

Brown Bear Book Box

These free Printables help your book come to life!  

3D Dino Cookies

This treat is like a puzzle and craft all-in-one!  

Sea Shell Crab Craft

If you are going to the beach this summer, make sure you snag a few shells to make some adorable sea creatures with!  

Jump, Frog, Jump Game

This free printable turns into a jumping good time.  

Catch A Spider Web

Now you can study the spider’s handiwork  with this easy science project.  For more Kids Activity Ideas, like me on Facebook, or follow me on Pinterest!  

Would you like to participate?

Please follow me!
Support your fellow bloggers and visit 2 other links.
If you would like to become a Librarian please contact me!

If you were featured please grab a button.

Linking up Here

The post Animal Activities and Mom’s Library #45 first appeared on True Aim.