1. Decisions - Let your kids make some. I learned to ask my daughter
(this was training from my career in sales), "Do you want to wear the red outfit or the blue one today?" and she would pick one. If she was hesitant, I would give her a few seconds and they say, "Pick one or I will decide for you." She would usually decide. For the past couple years, of course, she's often suggested a third option. And, if it's reasonable, I go with it--not just in apparel, but everything. "Do you want to eat an apple or grapefruit along with your cereal?" This also comes to deciding a new grocery item to buy one week, a new activity, a new movie to watch, etc.

2. Ask them to help you make up a song or poem, especially silly ones. My daughter and I have enjoyed working on humorous things. She is quite creative!

3. Let them have a pet to learn responsibility. My daughter has a puppy at her dad's, but we are starting with a fish at our house. And she is doing well, remembering to feed him every day, and has learned to change out the water without (1) damaging the bowl, or (2) even more important, without damaging the fish. She also teaches him various things, from Bible verses, to the denominations (not of churches) of money, and why they all spend differently. He has been taught that, should he ever need to choose among denominations it is always best to start with dollars. In addition, she has taught her fish the planets, including the non-planet, Pluto, and reviews them with him. She's even talked back and forth with him in Spanish....but she has noticed that, no matter what the subject, he always seems to have Mom's voice.

4. Now, where was I? Oh yes, Allowances. Not only financial payment for services rendered (more or less) by your little learner, but allowances in learning. As parents, we too must remember that we did not get everything right the first time, nor the second, nor sometimes the third......and sometimes we still don't. Most important is to teach your kids to tithe, no matter how young. For as Malachi 3:10-12 state, the first tenth (off the gross, not the net!) is the LORD's, and there are many blessings to obeying this command! After the tithe, we lead Victoria to give offerings of the money she earns or is given. She is now a senior and learning to use a checking account and budget her money even more carefully. She likes to buy gifts for people, and that is good. However, we often explain to her that she is a gifted artist and writer and an original drawing or writing by her is a welcome gift by many people--something they cannot buy. She is also saving for college and planning, and applying for scholarships and grants.

5. Teach them to use equipment, carefully, and tell them that you know they are wise in using it. For instance, I started telling my daughter for years before she ever started driving that she is an excellent driver. She started on a riding lawn mower, going forward, backward, parallel parking, etc. And, once she got in a car, she is, of course, an excellent driver. She has even mentioned to me that I the speed limit is "only 55" or that I should not drive in flip-flops. My teaching is coming back to me!

6. Teach them to cook. I started a bit too early with my daughter, but I have gradually let her do more and more, and she enjoys it. And I enjoy it when she does.

7. Teach them to plant and tend a seed, then the plant, then harvest the fruit, while imparting the spiritual lessons of sowing, patience, and reaping.

8. Tell them every day--first thing, middle, last--how much you love them, that you are pleased with them, that you are thankful for them, and that they bring you great joy. My daughter loved this till she became an older teen, and then it seemed to bother her, but I kept on. She has come back around and, even if she rolls her eyes, I think she secretly still likes to hear it. Anyway, we're going to keep saying it and she can't stop it from going in her ears! Also be sure to remind them that, as much as you love them, God loves them even more!

Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. They lift Him up in books (P.O.W.E.R. Girl!; LEGACY; Visions of the King; Your Holy Health; more); presentations; service in church, community, and the world; and via the "River Rain Creative" (309 videos) and "POWERLight Learning" You Tube channels.