There comes a time in midst of cooking, cleaning, laundry, and planning, when a parent may want to scream. For all you do, you feel unappreciated when you discover that your kids have not completed the simple instructions you give them.
Don't bother other kids stuff
Don't ride your bikes in the muddy clay
Fix your bed when you get up
Keep your (shared) bathroom clean
Empty the trash in your rooms
Clear your toys when you're done
Don't ride your bikes up to the door
Get out of bed when your alarm goes off
When confronted with disobeying the rules, all you hear is 'OH, I Forgot'...
I felt the urge to yell and scream several times this past weekend, but chose other options that kept my blood pressure at its normal 120/70.
The progression of consequences for their actions was:
Son:
Ride your bike only in street or sidewalks
Stay off bike, since you can control it
Unplugged TV
Stay in the yard
Niece:
Stay off bike, since you can't remember
Unplugged TV
Stay in the yard
If they continue, it will be
No visitors
Stay in house
So parents, there are many ways to encourage, influence, manipulate, and persuade, your kids without blowing a gasket.
Son was up, dressed, and fixing his breakfast within 15 minutes of his alarm sounding.
It's so nice being a parent.
21 hours ago
It is fun. But the best is yet to come!!! It gets even better as the children transition from bikes to automobiles. And even better as the children think of themselves as the parents and parents as the children. A whole lot of fun! Enjoy it, I have!
ReplyDeleteI thought my kids would drive me crazy yesterday. I have noticed that as they grow older, appreciation increases from both sides. This post really hits home!
ReplyDeleteSon-
ReplyDeleteBe in before the streetlights come on....
(why he can't get this i don't know, i didn't say be in when the streetlights come on, smh)
Me - if you can't be in before the streetlights come on, then you can't go out at all.
Son - okay
Me - Clean your room
- wash your clothes
- take the garbage out
Son - I am
- I am
- I am
(later, no clean room, clothes unwashed and garbage still around)
Me - (repeat of above) with "I thought i told you....
Son - I forgot!
Yep, parenting is something else!
I rather like screaming at them from time to time...it shakes things up...LOL!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite:
Me:
Don't you see that thing on the floor...I mean you walked over it a million times...pick it up!
any one of them:
Oh I didn't see it.
Being a mom is the greatest joy of my life.
The thing I hate is when something needs to be clean...the kids will only do what they did...so like when it is time to clean the living room...my daughter will go in there and pick up her things...and leave the rest. Then tell me that she cleaned it. I said girl what is this mess...she says well all dats not mines...mines? What kind of talk is that..it is mine.....lol
ReplyDeleteoh I was getting into the parenting for real..
This is a great alternative to, "give me that extension cord!" The 70s and 80s stung. :) Nice post.
ReplyDeletelol yep it is hon, it aint nothing better
ReplyDeleteRevvy Rev
ReplyDeleteIt gets more interesting everyday
Avid Writer
I can see growth in them everyday
Mizrepresent
We have to stick to our rules or they will overrule
Lovebabz
OH, I have screamed a time or two
Kin'shar
Hard to get the kid to clean his own room, forget about common areas
Stephen Bess said...
Ooh, you went old school on that one. Now that I have moved (with no trees or bushes), I don't have the threat of the switch bush (same one my mom used on us)
Torrance Stephens
ain't nothing better, but still is a trip