Tell us about your family.
David was born and raised in Owensboro. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky. After receiving his law degree, he moved back to Owensboro, and started practicing law with his father, Louis. This year marks 16 years of David practicing law. I (Rebecca) grew up on a family farm in Northwest Missouri. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social science at Missouri Western, and moved to Owensboro after falling in love with the town during a visit with friends. Two months after moving, I met David, and we married the following year. I spent three years working with kids with autism at DCPS, and am now a stay at home mom of our 3 boys. Grant, age 10, is our scholar, who loves games and music. Brooks, age 8, enjoys all things sports. Miles, age 6, is our mathematician, who works harder than anyone to make people laugh.
What is it like being parents to all boys?
Boys make a home exciting, and keep us on our toes. We are in sports year round. Our home is loud, competitive, and full of new ideas (some exciting and some terrible). One morning, while David worked, I enjoyed a peaceful shower. The baby napped, and the two older (3 and 5 years at the time) peacefully played with a big empty cardboard box. What could possibly go wrong? It was a rare moment of no one needing me, crying, or pounding on the bathroom door, trying to get in. Enjoying the peacefulness, I thought to myself, “Our boys are getting easier, more independent, and I am starting to master this parenting thing.” My reality check came as I walked down stairs and heard quiet giggling and splashing of water. Our innovative boys were in their swim trunks, and had filled the cardboard box with pitchers of water. With faces of pure joy and pride, they explained how they made an indoor swimming pool out of the box. Beneath the slash park lay my brand new hardwood floors. You can imagine my reaction! It’s life with boys! They are lots of fun, and can’t be left unsupervised for long.
Most challenging part of parenting?
At this age consistency is key. It sounds simple, but it is work. Rules are easy to make. Consistently enforcing the rules is harder. We can effortlessly make resolutions, but it’s a job to help kids make it a habit. Children thrive on consistency. It provides security and enforces good behavior. However, the schedule gets hectic, we get tired, and good habits can fly out the window, never to return. It’s challenging to be consistent daily, when it’s not popular, and simultaneously meeting each child’s needs differently.
Most rewarding?
Our children following after the Lord is by far the most rewarding part of parenting. We’ve done our best to lead them into a relationship with the Lord. When we see our kids praying, reading their bible, and showing good character (even when we aren’t around), we have confidence that their faith is genuine. We echo the scripture in 3 John 1:4 which says, “I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in truth.”
What is your biggest piece of parenting advice?
Parenting is more about being present than perfect. Statistics are grossly in favor for children that regularly share meals with their family. They tend to make better grades, be more physically and emotionally healthy, less likely to get in trouble with the school or the law, and the list goes on. Oftentimes we worry as parents that we are making the right decisions in child rearing. When it comes down to it, I think it’s more important to build connection. Whether it be playing a silly game, sharing a snack, or having a conversation, make some point everyday all about fostering your parent-child relationship.