Tuesday, January 6, 2009

I had "THE TALK" with my girls

ABOUT MANNERS, PRIVILEGES, and CONSEQUENCES


AND.... If they DON'T STRAIGHTEN UP in ONE WEEK:

IT'S OFF TO MANNER'S BOOT CAMP for the NEXT 6 SATURDAYS

FROM 8AM to 5PM!

Now...this boot camp is real. I did not make it up. The girls wear a skirt,a dress shirt or a dress, hose, and dress shoes and the boys wear dress pants, white long-sleeved shirts, a tie, and dress shoes ALL DAY LONG.

And ALL DAY LONG...they are taught life-lessons on appropriate behavior, dress, talk, manners and I am thinking maybe I should go, too.

Anyways, back to...

What made me wig out?

Was it the "I am gonna tell on you", the constant complaining about this or that, the "you always say NO mommy", the "I don't want to brush my teeth",the "well, so and so has one", "DO I have to?", the interruptions while on the phone,the rolling of the eyes, the hands on the hips, the "I never get to do that"....Ok you get my point! I am sure you have about 300 more quotes to add to the list!

SO...I probably won't be sending them to BOOT CAMP, but it sure made them be EXTRA NICE to Me this morning. Now...I just need to come up with something else for the next time I have had enough, which will probably be by the end of the day.

In the meantime, I will just enjoy the PRIVILEGE of this challenge of being a parent to 3 crazy, lovable, huggable, beautiful children. How boring would life be if everything went exactly the way I wanted it to?

If you don't already know me by now...I LOVE ME a GOOD, CLEAN,CUT-THROAT, I MEAN WHOLESOME FAIR AND SQUARE CHALLENGE!!!

4 comments:

Kyla said...

You also have to realize that they were at home for two whole weeks on break.....now they are in school again they will realize how good they have it and politely and gently shower their mommy with love. (I hope) At least those are the Apple kiddos i know!

Tara said...

That is a good one Betty! I will have to remember that one day. I know Connor is not at that age yet where he talks back in that way, but boy is he testing me these days. The corner is becoming his new home in our house! LOL

Angie said...

Betty, keep in mind that children naturally begin to carve out their own independent way when they are about 5 (which is what makes that a good age to start school), and they get more "knowledgeable" and independent with each birthday! And soon, they will know everything, you will know nothing, and they will really give you a run for your money!!

These years (5-10) are full of opportunities to teach them before they get too far away from us - we really like the "LOVE AND LOGIC" series! It is a challenge, and it is an attitude adjustment for parents and kids alike, but is it SO much more compassionate than how I used to parent - which was to do the best I could until I couldn't handle it anymore, then yell out of frustration! Now, I only do that about once a week instead of every day! :) Baby steps, right?

Never felt so good to send them to school, did it? HaHa!

Rachel said...

I hear ya girl, by the way do they have room for 3 year olds, if so SIGN US UP!