I am woken by the sound of my 3 little ones laughing and having a grand time in their room across the small hallway. I check Aaron's phone hoping for the first number to at least be a 7...nope...5:51 a.m. Yikes! It's Saturday morning kids...don't they know just how wonderful sleep is??? I suppose if I went to sleep by 7 p.m. I would be and could be up at that hour. I crawl out of bed, walk into their room and find the 3 of them all in Maggie's crib. Of course, I'm a tad upset that they woke me and the dad up, but then Maggie starts laughing at her brother and sister. All annoyance left. After the rough late afternoon and evening we had with them not cleaning up, their whining, loss of movie and pizza night...it was nice to see that they had recovered while I still am not quite over the guilt of it all. Aaron took Maggie while I talked to my 2 oldest about what the new plan was as far as their responsibility around this house, what was expected of them and what Mommy & Daddy were going to do to help them be responsible and kind and respectful.
Side note here...Thanks Stace for the late night conversation we had. Thank you for the support and for watching out for my kids even though we are 450 miles away! :)
I get so frustrated b/c being home with my kids is my job. And some days....I feel like I am downright failing at it. Aaron gets evaluations every so often and I know he passes with flying colors....where is my boss to evaluate me? I know Aaron believes that I am a good mom and it's not that I think I am a bad mom...it's just that I wonder what in the heck will make my kids listen and do what they are supposed to do. I know that I make empty threats at times and I don't follow through on certain reward systems b/c I don't allow enough time for them to work. I want a system to work by the second day.
I need to ask my Father about it more. I know that the first thing I should do is get on my knees and ask my God to show me what to do with His kids :) And I need to remember that....these beautiful kids have been given to me...what an honor it is to be their mom.
A couple of weeks ago...before Christmas...the 3 kids and I went grocery shopping. They did alright in the store...could have done better, but I suppose I'll take an alright trip. We got out to the car and Max and Molly got into their seats. They got a few toys and sat their and played. Maggie was still in the carrier at that point and I snapped her in and continued on to putting the groceries in the back of the van. I hear this woman speak up.
"Those are the most well behaved children I have ever seen."
She can't be talking to me, I think. I kind of look around.
"You told them to get up in their seats and they are just sitting there waiting for you to buckle them in. I've never seen kids listen so well."
I tell her thank you, but that I feel like I am yelling at them most of the time. She said no and that she was impressed.
I walked away to put the cart away, walked back and as I was getting in my car I told her thank you. She responded.
"I'm still sitting here amazed."
"Thank you...that compliment is the best Christmas present I've gotten so far."
I'll take it. The compliments on their behavior. If nothing else I just want God-loving and respectful kids.
He is your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him." Isaiah 33:6 NET
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