Tibbets states, "I am trying to make their lives so real that they can actually recognize and appreciate things of real value when they find them. I want to refine their tastes..."
From my other blog post: "So much of our socially accepted norms of our day work to separate us from this well of knowledge [granted by the spirit] by either telling us it is not important, "only science and math is" or by distracting us from the whisperings of wisdom with constant "noise" from TV, video games, twitter, radio, etc. “The Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls” Jacob 4:13
I know that closing wrong headgates is a quick and productive way to guide our children without coercion. I've seen it work in my own home. It provides a way to help our children learn truth and see the world as it really is. Sometimes it's a challenge to figure out what headgate needs closed or be willing to close it but when you do the blessing will come. For example: My children love, love, love to play outside. They will do it all day coming in only to go to the bathroom, eat and get a drink. They will go all over the neighborhood looking for playmates. When I close that headgate they are "bored" for awhile but then they will start pulling out books to learn from (I've already gotten rid of many of the toys, which they are glad of because they don't have to clean them up and our house is cleaner more consistently). I see a refinement within them and a calming when I release them from the almost chaos of unrestrained play time. It has been a blessing to us.
Another quote from Tibbets I like:
The initial purpose of determining right and wrong headgates is that the right ones lead to love of learning, and the wrong ones lead to love of play. Love of play is a wonderful and necessary part of childhood, but children already have a love of play. We do not need to purposely provide activities for them that help keep them in perpetual childhood any longer then necessary. We're not trying to make adults out of our little children. We are trying to let them be little children while they are little children, in such a way, that they can stop being little children when they become big children. The right kind of play lands them into Love of Learning when they become old enough.
I was glad to read this again and be reminded of the chart Tibbets created to help determine where our children are in their progression, gauge their improvement, and better guide them to move on when the time is right. I had forgotten about that assistant and will be implementing it again; in fact, I will print up some copies of it to put in my common place book, scriptures, etc. I'm so glad I was able to re-read this e-book, write about, and discuss it. It's been a great refresher, definitely something I should try to re-read every six months or so!
What was something you gained from this reading and is it valuable to you as a classic?
I need to re-read it. There are many little bits of wisdom throughout. It has definitely changed my life for the better! We are so much more focused on the real and things are so much more clear that way. Thanks for your posts on this!
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