One of the things I’ve been working on especially with my younger two is getting on top of the complaining and whining. I have been thinking about when this happens. On Saturday night after bathtime, I realized that the thirty seconds between getting out of the bath and getting pajamas on is often marked by [...]
Filed under: Discipleship, Emotions
We’re in temporary housing, and our table is really a ledge that seats three. For some reason it has become a point of contention which seat has the most perceived value to our three children. As a solution, Lee decided that at each meal, one child could have the choice of where to sit. That [...]
Filed under: Emotions
Today I was thankful for the shady bench by the park. I couldn’t have any quiet. The children weren’t ill mannered, but they did seem to be high maintenance. After Laurel woke up, we went to the park. I took my Bible. I needed it. I was wrestling with being anxious. My what-ifs were starting [...]
Lee’s mom and dad hit a deer on their way to New Mexico for Thanksgiving. They were unhurt, but their car was totaled, and it was cost and time prohibitive to come here after that. You might think, based on the reactions from our children, that it wasn’t that big of a deal. However, last [...]
Filed under: Emotions
What if your children never saw you cry? Would that be a good thing? More importantly, what if they never saw what to do when mom is sick or sad or afraid? Children don’t tend to like tears. They don’t like being reminded that they are vulnerable. And when their rock– mom and dad– appears [...]
Several weeks back, I posted about a tantrum experience, and I’m still thinking about it. I started out wondering, Can I stay, “Stop being angry”? Is that the same as saying “Stop being happy”? Historically, I’ve focused on the outward manifestation, basically allowing anger, but not allowing kicking, throwing, screaming, and so on. I have said [...]
Filed under: Emotions
The other day, Laurel was as angry as I have ever seen her. It’s always good to examine big situations after the fact; perhaps I’ll improve in responding biblically. She was happily playing and asked for a particular song to be put on, and when I put it on, she changed her mind and demanded [...]
Today my dear friend Kelly came over. She has three daughters who are delightful. Her oldest is passionate and intense, and the most spiritually sensitive child I have ever seen. She also has a temper. Kelly and I have talked about discipline and parenting as long as we’ve known each other. I know Kelly’s heart [...]
Filed under: Emotions
I was blindsided. Laurel has not been attached to a blanket for months. She has a fuzzy blanket that she has used in the past, but she hasn’t used it in several weeks, and has never appeared emotionally attached to the blanket. When Laurel and Bethel asked for a blanket, I first suggested the fuzzy [...]
Filed under: Emotions
Bethel stayed up with me until 9:30 tonight. She’s a night owl, and lately, she’s been begging for some mom time. OF course, I didn’t know that’s what she’s been wanting. I tend to be a little dense, sometimes. She’s been irritating and obnoxious, hitting the dog, and begging for a “just with me” tea [...]
Filed under: Emotions, Potty Training
