Jun. 3, 2008
Posted in family life
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Today is definitely a "count the hours until bedtime" day, at least so far. It is only 9:32 am so I guess there is hope. One of my favorite shows is Jon and Kate Plus Eight, about the Gosslen family who have eight children under the age of seven (twins and sextuplets). At the beginning of every episode, while they show images of children playing, laughing, having meltdowns, you hear Kate's voice "today I may very well lose my mind". Today I may very well lose my mind. Usually I watch that show and think my nine children look easy compared to hers. Last night I was watching and thought.....we need discipline, we need a schedule. I am not a schedule person. I am not a discipline person. I firmly believe "teach a man correct principles and he will govern himself". For most of my children that works beautifully. But.....everyone is different, aren't they? So today trying to start this family on a schedule. Trying to teach teenagers that speaking to Mom in that tone is not acceptable. Not fun. For me or them. However, if I have learned anything at all over the years, is that good things usually start out like this........MISERABLE. For now, the schedule involves two things......our morning routine (clothes, bed, chores, healthy breakfast) and continuing on with our summer program. Then I will work on more orderly bedtimes. Then maybe going on in public....... I don't know. This is a family, not a military unit. I had a dear friend in the last place we lived who loved our family and told everyone (or so I heard)...."those older children are so helpful and polite......and she is so patient with the younger ones". Not that the younger ones were well-behaved, just that I was patient with them. I thought it was funny, I still do. But maybe....I could be patient and they could be well-behaved all at the same time? Today I could very well lose my mind........... |
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