Under His Construction

• Apr. 30, 2007 - moaning and groaning and crying and blowing kisses

The other day my son Garrett had a math page he needed to get done for the day which is a rare thing since our math is mainly oral and manipulatives. For some reason he didn't have his normal love for all things math that day because he sat there and did a little of the page then daydreamed, did a little more and then daydreamed a lot more. Two hours later he was still sitting there doing none of it and a whole lot more daydreaming in between moans and groans about the torture of doing this math page (a very simple math page mind you!) Dinnertime drew near and he was still sitting there moaning and groaning. I told him "No dinner until you are done, oh and by the way we are having pizza!" Yes I am that cruel, but I thought a little motivation couldn't hurt. Well, that got him in gear and he started to hurry up and finish while the pizza was cooking. The moaning and groaning did not cease but in fact continued to get worse and worse the more he began to smell the pizza cooking until it became unbearable and I sent him to his room to finish. While there he went from moaning and groaning to all out crying. I went in to discuss with him that if he had just been diligent in the first place he would have been done hours ago but his little heart was hardened against my counsel so I left and told him to finish and come talk to me when he got done. The pizza finished cooking by then and everyone else ate while he finished his math. A short while later he came out rather sheepishly and said he was finished. I let him eat his pizza and go out to play (we would talk about the problem at bedtime- this always seems to be the best conversation time so I knew we would get to the root of the problem then.) About 15 minutes later I look out the window and watch the kids play for a few minutes and what does my son who was so upset with his mother for her harsh cruelty in making him finish a math page do? He smiles, waves and blows a great big kiss at me! I guess all was forgotten! How can ya not love kids! LOL

• Apr. 30, 2007 - your consistency

Posted by Jennifer in OR

I admire the consistency you maintained throughout this loooonng process of getting your son to do his math. The kisses he blew are a testimony to the significance of your efforts. Lovingly, firmly, and unmoving - I really need to work on this area with my kiddos!

Thanks, Jennifer, diaryof1.com

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• May. 1, 2007 - Wow thanks

Posted by onecrazymom

I had not even thought of that - Thanks for your kind words (my head is swelling!) ( : I just thought it was so hilarious how quickly he got over it and was once again sending kisses my way - I just love kids - they rarely hold grudges for more than a minute! ( : By the way - I just read your post on marriage - so excellent - many great truths missing in many marriages today - God has been teaching me these same truths for many years now - what a great friend you have! Those are the kind to treasure- I know I do!

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