ALERT Cadet has been a blessing in our family’s life.  Watching our sons mature, lead, study the
Bible, and serve others is worth all the effort we as parents have put in. 

One day, I looked at the boys’ messy school boxes and lockers and commented, “Wow, I thought we
were supposed to ‘be neat in room and dress.’”  I was more thinking aloud than actually directing the
boys, but my oldest son heard and took action.  Soon, he had a meeting with his brothers and discussed
the importance of keeping their school boxes and lockers tidy.  He informed them that he would perform
inspections, and there would be consequences (15 push-ups) each time he found their spaces messy, or
a locker door left open. 

This has taken such a load off of me as a mom.  I no longer have to remind them to clean up their
mess.  They have taken the initiative to tend to it themselves.  This experience has not only taught them
to be neat in room and dress, but also to come under authority, even if that authority is an older brother. 
Thank you, ALERT Cadet.

Submitted by Sarah Bongard