Scripture Study and Nitpicking

Family scripture study is a mixed experience for us. For example, today our son practiced karate moves and our daughter wandered around the family room while I read two verses. Then I asked, "So, what can we do receive blessings from Heavenly Father?" To my surprise, our son promptly answered, while still doing karate moves, "Well, we can't say 'butt,' and we can't punch (with the action) or kick (again with the action) or bite. That's how we keep the commandments. That's what I learned in church." This was one of our better family scripture studies.

Before our son went to bed I made sure to tell him how lucky I am to be his dad. He is truly an exceptional little boy, as is apparent from the story above. I wanted to make sure to tell him because I have a tendency to nitpick. I don't know why, but I always feel like I should correct him when he can improve on anything. Often I don't really need to, and sometimes I should just choose not to and save whatever attention span he has for my lectures (which is next to zero, so normal) until it's important. Some battles I could do without for now, including getting him to stop wiggling in his seat at dinner. Today I told him it's his choice but he has to clean what he drops--and he did!  As much as I wish he would hang on every word I say, it's not going to happen.