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Habit Formation: What about our own Habits?

 What about our own Habits?
“Each of us has in his possession an exceedingly good servant or a very bad master, known as Habit” (Vol. 4, Book 1, p. 208).
 “Every day, every hour, the parents are either passively or actively forming those habits in their children upon which, more than upon anything else, future character and conduct depend” (Vol. 1, p. 118).

 
 I have felt strongly that I need to focus more on Habit Formation in our home. Before I can even hope to be successful at Habit Formation with my children, I need to take stock of my own Habits. At least that is what the Lord has been (lovely) nudging me to do. He wants me to take a good long look at my own Habits. You see Habit Formation/Training in my home starts with me, the mom. It starts with who I really am; day-to-day, hour by hour and moment by moment.  
Psalm 139: 1O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
         You understand my thought afar off.
 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
         And are acquainted with all my ways.
 4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
         But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether….
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
         Try me, and know my anxieties;
 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
         And lead me in the way everlasting…
 
Lord, Please reveal  to me what it is that you want me to truly “see” about myself!!!!   
 

My “getting started” plan for Habit Formation:

1. Keep praying, listening and trusting to the Lord
“Here, indeed, more than anywhere, ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labour but in vain that build it’; but surely intelligent co-operation in this divine work is our bounden duty and service” (Vol. 2, p. 90).
2. Meditate on these questions and answer them truthfully based on the nudging of the Holy Spirit
  • How often do I pray for my children about Habit Formation?
  • How often do I pray for myself  about Habits?
  • How often do I pray for the Habit Formation process in our home?
  • Do I have any Habits that I need to change? If so, which ones?
  • Do I need to gain any better Habits? If so, which ones?
  • What are my good Habits?
    • 3. Read up on Habit Formation (see resources below)
    4. Commit to the process no matter how hard and difficult it may become
    “Tact, watchfulness, and persistence are the qualities she (the mom) must cultivate in herself; and, with these, she will be astonished at the readiness with which the child picks up the new habit” (Vol. 1, p. 122).
    The first post in my Habit Formation Series
      
    ******************************************************************** 
     
    Here is the original Vol 1 of Charlotte Mason’s Education Series (Here is Vol 1 in modern language) If your interested in reading more, I urge you to read part 111 and part 1v of Vol 1, both parts are on Habit Formation. 
     
    To find out  about Charlotte Mason and the Charlotte Mason Home School Method go HERE 
     
    Laying down the Rails by Sonya Shafer is a great book to assist you in Habit Formation 
     
    Smooth and Easy Days is a FREE e-book on Habit Formation by Sonya Shafer ***Awesome***

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melissa says

      I look forward to this series! I, too, have been asking myself tough questions, especially as I witness habits to change or create in my children, questioning whether I am unknowingly encouraging the wrong habits in them. And, while I’ve been praying for myself, your questions point out to me that I need to be praying for the others that have been entrusted in my care – including my husband! Sometimes I forget to bring ALL my cares to God – not just the ones I _know_ I can’t handle! Thanks!
      Melissa

      Reply

    2. Laura says

      I neeed to read up with these. What I’ve read of Charlotte Mason so far has fallen in so well with what I feel our home has been lacking. I woke up thinking about habits(go figure?) But being on the road lately & having good but too many outings has really set us off our habits.
      One of my favorite quotations adapted I’m sure from many & used by many —
      ‘thoughts produce actions, actions produce habits, habits produce character, character determines destiny.’

      Reply

    5. Ginger says

      Thank you for this post Angie. I needed to be reminded that I don’t have to do this habit training in my own strength, but that Christ will do it through me.

      Reply

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