Discipline, Happy Kids and Incredible People

The first 4 days started very slow for me. I basically just played with the kids most of the day and took a daily nap.    I’m staying in a different building (above the dentist/optometrist/other doctors office) that is next to the building that houses the middle school age kids. 

Here is their basic schedule. I have prayer with a few house parents each morning at 7:30. After that, the adults split up and go to each end of the main building where the kids sleep. Boys on one end, girls on the other end. They have large rooms with 10 sets of bunk beds (20 beds boys/20 beds girls). There are 14 boys and 14 girls at this house currently and they range in age from 5-12. 

This is my friend Victor

When we walk into the room at 7:40, they pop out of bed like they’ve been up for hours and haven’t dared to get out of bed until we arrive. Not a one of them needs to be told to wake up or get out of bed. Boys and girls gather in a large living room and start their day with prayer, song and a devotional (led by an adult). 

They then return to their rooms where the leaders have now laid out 2 sets of clothes on the ladders of the bunk beds for each child. One set is play clothes to wear now and the other set is the school uniform that they will change into starting around noon (after their daily shower).  

The yard gets raked and they sweep and mop everything daily. 

They go to school from 2:00-8:00 each day. 

Here is one of my videos that shows them going to school last year. 

When they get home from school, they quickly get out of their school clothes, into pajamas then eat dinner around 8:30pm. They will all watch a movie, then be in bed shortly after 9. There are always chores to do. Dishes are done by the kids and the floors are swept and mopped daily (kitchen is done after every meal).The house parents and about 8 other young adults do a fabulous job keeping everyone in line. Discipline is a must. Their is no way that the kids can be unruly. It is a privilege and an honor for each of these kids to be here and they know it. They know that to stay here, they must obey.The kids enjoy being here with friends that are like siblings and they get an education that they are proud to get. They are not disciplined with a heavy hand. Their may be some exercise or extra chores if their are problems. I’m impressed and amazed that anyone can have so many children under them and the fabulous job they do. Ceci and Joel truly are amazing people. 

Joel, Ceci and boys

These last few days I’ve learned that a schedule is good for kids, they know what to expect. Kids can be highly disciplined and still be the happiest kids I’ve ever met.