Since Tuesday, I have been thinking about how I view teaching vs. training.

Teaching reminds me of school ~ one person instructing another ~ helping and encouraging when difficulties arise.

Training I picture ~ pushups, running ~ always being driven to push yourself harder and more than ever before ~ the instructor demanding more because they believe you are capable of more than you yourself believe.

(photo courtesy of office.com)

Teaching occurs throughout each and every day.

Training is based on determination and discipline.

Teaching is what we say and do ~ Training is what puts it to action!

Teaching is where it begins ~ our children learn from what we say and do. Even if they don't obey, they listen and learn. We are teaching often when we don't realize it.

When our children take what we teach and put it into their actions ~ this is training! In order for them to continue their training, we must push them to continue on! We must tell them we believe they are capable ~ we must demand more of them as they grow! If our expectations do not grow as they do, then we will have failed in our training. They will struggle and quite possibly fail to reach their potential.

Being taught a new skill does not mean you will train in your new skill. You must "sit down" and determine to train, which means you must practice. Fingers on the keys of a piano do not fly across playing Bach perfectly without training.

(photo courtesy of office.com)

We as parents want the best for our children, yet when struggles arise we (at times) throw our hands up in the air and miss the opportunities to train our children ~ they must practice what we are teaching. We must not grow weary of teaching for then they cannot complete their training.

What are you teaching your children right now?

How are you providing training for that particular new skill?