What planet I have been existing on before today, I don't know. What I do know is last week my oldest son got suspended from the bus and I got a huge dose of reality. Somewhere between all the anxiety about my husbands homecoming and involuntary seperation from the Navy, I just let things fall apart. The call come in from the principal, Nicholus was written up for getting out of his seat and punching another child on the bus. (although they were just wrestling) This is Nicholus second infraction this year so he got a 4 day suspension, next time he will all privlages to ride the bus. Great...he thinks...he don't have to foot the bill for the gas back and foward to school 20 minutes everyday.
Then I was chatting on the phone with my mom and she said something about the boys being particularly mouthy this weekend during their overnight visit to grandmas. I decided I just couldnt take anymore. Thinking back over the past month, two, heck since before Christmas, probably when my husband was home on his rest and relaxation I had let things slowly go down hill. The kids stopped doing their daily chores and would backtalk, telling me it was not fair, they didnt want to do chores, or flat out tell me no. Where my mind was, I just don't know because the Jackie today, the Jackie a year ago would have told them to come close and slapped them upside their head...well maybe not, I sure want to though. The belt is pointless in this family, my kids laugh in your face. A good arse whooping last about five minutes...Okay, so its obvious I don't beat them to death. Taking their toys away does not work so well, but a combination of taking toys away with sentences, works!
I sat down with my kids one by one and explained to each of them that mam, sir and may I are the words we will be using in this household. If I get mouth or backtalk its an automatic five sentences. Nicholus got 100 sentences a day for being suspended from the bus, which I have reduced to 25 with good behavior, respect, and his chores. I also sat and wrote down chore charts for each of them. I do believe in a reward system, however they must prove themselves first, so to start, they do chores because they care.
I already feel so much better. There is much less tension in the house and alot less stress. I absolutely forgot how well my kids COULD behave. I forgot how well my kids WOULD behave given the opportunity. I still have one little demon, the 5 year old, she does her chores, however it is with an attitude that is completely undesirable. She spouts off things I wish I never heard, I am trying to just ignore it, because reacting to it doesnt get anything but another reaction out of her. Gah...six kids, what was I thinking?
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