We are giving Love and Logic a try.

Last month, mom and I went to a series of classes at church that taught it.

In essence, it says:

1. You should not be the bad-guy by lecturing, yelling, or spanking your kids.

2. Instead, you should let the consequences of a situation act as the teacher – only intervening if safety is an issue.

For example, instead of hounding and hounding your kid to do their homework, you might let them get a zero and deal with the consequences of that.

Or, instead of taking time off work to deliver a forgotten lunch, you might not say a word and let the hunger do the teaching.

There is obviously more to it.

But you can read or watch more about it as time allows.

Love And Logic has the advantage of handing problems back to your children so they can learn from them, rather than making an issue just one more thing for a parent to solve in an exasperated or angry tone that helps nobody.

I am so sorry for every time I raised my voice at you.

All I want to do is stand beside you and encourage you as you learn.

My love.

You are perfect.

If I have ever made you feel otherwise – from the bottom of my heart – I am so sorry.

I love you.

-Dad

K, you are walking.

I told you it would happen soon.

Not a ton yet, mind you.

But just enough to get good and started.

Now don’t get me wrong, you still prefer having help, or squawking like a little bird until someone carries you.

Last weekend though, you took seven full steps while playing in H’s room.

I bet you didn’t walk more than 12 inches, but it was amazing.

Your eyes lit up as H, mom, and I cheered you on.

You were so excited.

My walking girl.

I remember so fondly taking H for walks around the neighboorhood before you were born.

Us all going together one day will be perfect.

I love you.

-Dad

For Halloween, we had a strawberry and almost a wolf.

We went to trunk-or-treat at church this last weekend to celebrate.

Quite simply K, you were a strawberry.

You were happy, excited to be with us at every turn, and even tolerated the cold air like a trained soldier.

You were adorable.

And H, you insisted on being a wolf this year.

We got you a costume, and a few week ago trying it on about scared K to death after you dropped to your knees wearing it and growled at her.

She cried so hard.

So Halloween got here and just before we went outside to take pictures, H you had a meltdown.

Well, we managed to make it through pictures eventually and finally got everyone in the car.

We made it to church just in time, and in the parking lot H, you refused to wear your wolf costume.

“I just want my coat.” you cried.

So you left your wolf costume in the car and wore your coat, while I pushed K in the stroller.

We stopped and got candy at 4 cars, hopped through the bounce houses, and finally got hotdogs and ate them on the steps of the church by the sidewalk and playground.

We were done in 20 minutes.

Pop and Gammies were in town, so they came by after that to get K out of the cold and feed her dinner.

H, you stayed with us while mom and I passed out candy with our Sunday school class.

Your hand was in the candy bucket nearly the entire time.

I love you girls.

You are both perfect in every way.

I love you.

–Dad