Sibling Rivalry

Good Saturday Morning! I am contemplating sibling rivalry, as I enjoy my morning coffee. ( a little sugar, french vanilla creamer, whipped cream and cinnamon on top! YUM) Why is it that siblings seem to argue over EVERYTHING? Arghhh! I am sure it drives you as crazy as it does me. I recently went through a nasty divorce, and my children have definately felt the effects of it. I know it's been hard on them, just as it has on myself, and everyone else. Divorce definately doesn't just affect the couple getting the divorce. It affects them, their children, their families, their friends, their co-workers, and their church. It has been quite a battle between the kids, and authority since all of this. There are many other circumstances directly affecting my children's behavior that I am not at liberty to mention at this time, however, it is getting harder to find ways of correcting them. Things that used to work, no longer do. I understand they are acting out in frustration, but it is not an excuse for their behavior. They still need to be corrected.
As it says in Ephesians 6:12 " For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." NKJV This is something that I need to be reminded of frequently. The enemy is rampant, and he is wanting to steal the very breath in us, and children are not off limits. He uses them more than we realize. " The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." - John 10:10 Nothing is off limits to him! He will stop at NOTHING to try to take anything and everything from us. We must remember that we must correct our children in the flesh, but we must also be in prayer to our Heavenly Father, to correct their hearts and their spirits.
As I search for ways to correct my children that will work, I have come across a book, Creative Correction, by Lisa Whelchel. She does have some fantastic ideas to creatively correct children. I do not agree with all of her methods or ideas, but some are very ingenius. I also don't believe all of the ideas will pertain to every child. You have to find what works for each individual child, and that may be easier said than done.
I do not claim to be a know it all, now will I ever know it all. I will not always do things correctly, nor will you, but maybe together, we can help each other through tough times, through prayer, and friendship. May God bless you today and always! Hey! He already did! He made you a mother! - Be Blessed- Shelley