Chris and Jenni

So since I’m on the subject, today was a small dip in the cheerful momentum. But then it turns out, it was actually God’s plan, imagine that!

Woke up this morning feeling horrible. Chris left for work early and the kids woke early, and I felt like I had a vice on my head, when I stood up I was pretty woozie. Cait had passed on her cold to her undeserving mother, isn’t she nice. For the next hour I wandered around the house, trying to figure out how I could “not prepare a meal” for the kids and yet still feed them. I managed, and even fed Cait something solid, which she is loving by the way! I have the cheerful chart right behind my head in the dining room, the kids can see it while they are eating and so at least three times a day it is somewhat of a focal point. While the kids are eating I usually talk about the chart and add to their box what needs to be added. The first thing in the morning we go over how they did at bed time last night and if they did really well they get four triangles colored into their pie and on down the line, oddly enough these little triangles are a huge incentive!

So this morning at breakfast I’m thinking, “why is it that motherhood is the only job you can’t call in sick?!” So much for a cheerful heart! But my son encouraged me at the breakfast table. I was dragging, not grouchy just weak, and Aidan, out of the blue said, “Mommy, I love you.” Melt my heart. Then a little while later, I asked Aidan if he would do the dishes (I usually do the dishes and he dries/puts them away, this is a new chore so he’s still getting the hang of it). Aidan said he wanted an “adult” to help him. And I explained that mommy couldn’t do them right now and if he didn’t do them they wouldn’t get done. He didn’t argue or complain, he just said, “okay.” So I got the dishes all ready for him, he washed and rinsed the dishes, and did an awesome job! I was so blessed. It was such an encouragement to me since I’ve been working so hard with them the last couple of weeks, it was such a neat reward for me.

My Boaz’s Ruth had commented on my last post that the “good example,” theory doesn’t always work with parenting. I totally agree. There is such a balance of example and enforcement. If we do not train our children to be cheerful, and consistently train, they will not learn just by example, because our sinful nature lends to selfishness. Our example shows them the way to go, and discipline gently pushes them into the direction they should go. I had a revelation of sorts today while I was training the kids in cheerfulness. It has been my bad habit to tell the kids, “if you do that again, you will get a spanking.” And have been frustrated to no end at how come the kids keep doing it, always, or almost always, to receive a spanking! But I realized that they know that they can always do it at least once, and has enough time lapsed when this next time will again be the”first” time which will receive yet another warning? So I’ve stopped doing that. They know what behavior is wrong and I discipline them accordingly. I told them to set the table, they played the piano on the way. I have told them many times not to whine, not to argue, not to take away toys, not to jump on the couch, etc. They know the boundaries, now for the first time mommy is actually enforcing them, all the time. After just two days of this, I am AMAZED at the change in the kids’ behavior! I feel so much hope and freedom and joy in my kids. I’ve known these truths but have yet to find the grace to implement them and I am so thankful that the Lord is giving us the grace. Both the boys especially are already doing so much better, Guenna is at a different level and requires a little more convincing, but we will get there.  Parenting is an amazing journey.

Eamon’s cute quotes:

Eamon-”Mommy, I thought you were going to snuggle with my in my bed!”

Mommy-”Oh no honey, your bed is a little boy bed, it’s not big enough for mommy.” (It’s actually a twin bed but we didn’t put a supporting board in the middle so until we have that it’s probably not safe for adults.)

Eamon-”No, it’s not a little boy bed, it’s a big boy bed!”
Mommy-”Oh that’s true, it is a big boy bed…”

Eamon-Still trying to convince me that his bed was indeed big enough for mommy…”it’s HUGE Mommy!”

Thanks for that Eamon, I feel so much better now ;) I love your sweet heart little Eamon boy, sometimes you want to be so big but I love that you still want to snuggle with your mommy. You will always be my little boy, I love you so much!

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