Christ, the ultimate model

A few nights ago I was thinking about a scenario in my head. I would be having a conversation with someone and they would ask me about discipline and I would say that we don't hit people in our house or hitting is not allowed in our home. That person would have a confused look on their face and then they would ask "Well then what DO you do?". I would tell them about re-direction when they are very little, natural and logical consequence, time-in or comfort corner, etc. I would say that my job is to teach my child how to handle his feelings in appropriate ways and that I want their obedience to come from the heart, not out of fear. And as parents we should model the behavior we want to see. We are trying to model ourselves, and how we discipline after Christ.
This got me thinking. The point of Jesus coming to earth was for Him to model the type of life He wants us to live! Jesus isn't in heaven looking down on us ready to zap us when we do something wrong. We do have to face the natural consequences of our choices, but He doesn't throw in an extra, unrelated punishment for good measure. He is full of grace and His love is not conditional on how we act. Christ is our model as His followers and as parents we are models for our children and their first idea of who God is.
Christ modeled: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control
These are the things I want to model and teach my child.
No spankings necessary.

Not a Wordless Wednesday

Today for International Babywearing Week I met up with my local group at the mall. We were originally going to go to a farm but it rained. I had a decent time. I arrived late so I had to walk around a little before I found them. Once I did I chatted a little but I still feel a little like an outsider. When we got the the play area I felt like all the other moms were talking to each other but I was by myself with my little guy. Before the group was over I did talk to a mom with a 5 month old who is almost as big as my guy, had teeth and looks like he is about to crawl. Oh, and he has 12 fingers to boot! It was very interesting. I'm glad she struck up a conversation with me :)
Here is Isaiah at the mall; he is starting to stand on his own!

Wordless Wednesday

My little guy is looking older everyday!
(I still think I look awful)