*this post is mainly written about my youngest children*
Days were going a little something like this...
Good Morning.
Wake up.
Wake up.
Waaaaaaaakkkkkke Uuuuuup!
WAKE UP! That's it. Tonight you are going to bed early.
Two hours to get clothes on your body, toast a bagel and make your bed?
That's it! Tomorrow I'm setting a timer and if you don't finish I'm going to punish you.
Your room isn't clean? ...it's okay, go outside, but you have to finish before bed.
It's bedtime and you haven't finished your room?
That's it! Tomorrow you will clean this mess.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow. Tomorrow. Tomorrow. Tomorrow.
Empty threats and yelling is what I've turned into.
When did I let this happen? When did I lose control?
I had become the mom of "all talk and little {to no} action".
I knew it. The kids knew it. Jeff may have mentioned it to me. {wink}
I was frustrated. The respect level for mother was dropping.
Something had to give, and it was up to me.
If Jeff tells the kids to do something, they do it! First time. No arguments.
Why? ...because he sticks to his word and our offspring know he means business.
He tells them all the time to respect their mom...but if I'm not standing firm,
backing my own words, those advantage takers will walk all over my soft little heart.
I realized this last week. That is when the crack down occurred.
It was late morning, the house was a mess and we hadn't even started school yet!
I became angry...I was mad at the kids,
but I was also mad at myself for letting things get so out of hand.
I called them all together
for a lecture to talk.
I made lists, explained the rules, told them what I expected.
That day things were accomplished.
However, this had become the pattern....
Mom gets angry.
Mom yells.
Kids hurry and get things accomplished.
Next day things go back to usual...until....
Mom gets angry again.
Mom yells again.
Kids hurry and get things accomplished again...etc.
You get the point!
It was a cycle and I wanted out!
I made the decision last week to stick to the words that come out of my mouth.
Stick to those lists and schedules I take the time to write!
The threats would be empty NO more!
There was a new mom in town.
Let me tell you what sealed the deal.
One of my children said to another child....
"Hey, you know how mom always yells and doesn't always do what
she says with punishing us and stuff? This week she has. She is actually doing it."
My eyes were as WIIIIIIIDE as saucers!!!
Ouch. Ouch!
If I ever needed inspiration, that was it.
This world is filled with undisciplined children taking advantage of their parents.
They grow into unruly teens and entitled young adults.
I don't want that for my children.
I want them to be respectful.
I want them to be able to handle having a boss and following
through with a job given to them.
All of this needs to start in the home.
It's our responsibility as parents to teach our children these character qualities.
It's a tough job.
One that requires lots of prayer, grace and a sense of humor.
We need to encourage one another in this blessed and wonderful journey!
...because we all need it!
XxOo
