I’ve known for quite some time that Mark is just too good to be true. Now I have proof. Apparently, the psych test he’s required to take for work is my proof. He scored so good on it that it made him look defensive and the test felt he was trying to make himself look good. Just because he doesn’t have OCD tendencies or sexual problems or other things then he must not be right in the head…everybody’s crazy…except Mark!
I have discovered that we have one of “those” kids. You know, the ones that throw toys, objects, etc when they don’t get their way. He also hits. If you must need me to tell (like most of you can’t guess), it’s Liam. It’s mostly at tantrum stage that he starts this, so I really am at a lost what to do. He’s already broken a glass and toys because of this behavior. I asked the experts (okay, one, my mom) and they (she) didn’t have a clue what to do.
So, last night, we flipped through Creative Correction by Lisa Welchel to see how to thwart the behavior. One of her suggestions was to send him outside until he can change his attitude. This being done with the purpose of removing them from where they are getting attention (if I walk away from Liam he follows and continues).
I can’t really send Liam outside because he’ll play. I don’t like for them to go outside without me anyway. So, our solution is this (please don’t think me cruel). We set up the playpen in our closet and yes, it’s that big. When he starts a major tantrum, I send him there for a couple of minutes and then talk to him. So far, it’s working! I do give him a warning. I do not close the door or leave the light off. He’s just removed from the rest of the household and in a safe place.
Next up, Zoe and Ace have been using ugly words to each other. I’ve thought of this before but forgot about it until last night. So, when they use ugly words to each other they have to literally hold their tongue. “Keep your tongue from evil…” Psalm 34:13
And finally, Ace has been having a real hard time with his attitude and chores. I read in Creative Correction about adding chores to his list every time he pitches a fit about doing his jobs. These are extra jobs on top of his regular jobs. Needless to say, I have some clean windows and the living room is dusted! Mark’s getting help with the trash and Zoe got to skip carrying her clothes down for laundry day! I’m going to have some shiny windows out of all this since he can’t really do or reach a lot for his chores.
Just thought I’d share some new discipline strategies…life’s been a little bit easier around here today 🙂
Our minister of singles/senior adults and his wife just had a baby last week. On Friday while still in the hospital, she came down with blisters all over her body. She was taken to a local children’s hospital and is being treated there. Tests are being run to see if it is a genetic disorder. Right now, if the blisters spread into her body it would not be good. So, please pray for baby Emma and her family. It’s amazing what it takes to remind us how blessed we are with such sweet healthy children. I feel so undeserving of these precious gifts. And my heart breaks when I see moms who have to face the total opposite and babies who are suffering.
I’ll try and keep the blog updated with her condition, etc.
The other night, we were having dinner and Ace was in one of “those” moods. He demanded more ketchup and when no one answered, he decided to ask for ketchup. However, he still had plenty of ketchup on his plate. He had taken a fry moved the ketchup around and then asked for more. Mark told him that he couldn’t have more but when he ran out of ketchup he would get more. Ace felt perfectly sure that he deserved more ketchup because he had smeared what he had around on the plate so that it didn’t look like so much. He pitched a fit. He left the table. He cooled off. And while he was cooling off I looked at Mark and said, “How often do we do that?”
How often do we take what God has given us and spread it out and then demanded more? See, I only have a three bedroom house…if I cram more “stuff” in to it, there’s not enough room for anything else…I WANT MORE GOD!
I guess we live in a day where we think we deserve more. However, what God has given us is enough! I’m learning, since the “ketchup” incidence to be content with what I have today. My babies, my house, my busyness, my wonderful husband. Content because they were all given to me by God. He knows better what I need and what I can handle. He only gives me what I need and what I can handle. So, I’ll be content in him.
Zoe has now dropped the “God our Father” prayer that she learned in church. Personally, I don’t like it much because it’s so generic. We allow them to sing it during meal times and then one of us prays over the meal, etc. But, now, Zoe is actually praying at meal times about anything and everything. So, I have Ace and Zoe rotating prayers so he can still sing his.
That being said, her prayers also are full of lots of substance now too and they are so sweet to listen to.
Last week, Ace got a big splinter stuck in his food and it was stuck down deep. It hurt for him to walk, so we were forced to work on it to get it out for him. He was pinned face down on the floor while I sandwiched his leg between my legs and working on the splinter. In the meantime, Mark put the other three in the bath and got everyone ready for bed. It took about 45 minutes but we go it out…after lots of screaming, tears and sweat. Zoe came in after it was all done and quietly told Ace that she was praying that the splinter would come out quickly for him. Why didn’t I think of that???
I think sometimes I just jump into something without taking the time to pray and talk to God. Mark and I have slowed down a lot over the past week (mostly because I had no choice) and have been able to not just pray but talk to God a lot and about everything…like we tell the kids.
So, my advice this week…before all else fails, talk to God! He’s there, He’s listening, and He’s in control anyway!
…pictures of Zoe and Josiah.
this was a sick day for me, so Mark took the picture…I did fix the hair, but she had lots of flyaways!
And, because this is my blog and I can write about what I want…just gotta brag for a sec…Zoe is reading now!!! She’s got her short vowel sounds down and read Hop on Pop to me on Friday (minus the long vowel words). Liam is now counting to 10 with a little help and he knows most of his letter sounds (thanks to LeapFrog’s Letter Factory DVD).
Mark as a preschooler.
Ace
Liam
I’m getting better (to quote Monty Pythons)!
No really, I am. Mark headed to work after getting us started today and I declare today to be movie day. I did go over phonics with Zoe (by the way, this kid is sounding out three letter words and read three word sentences today) and now we’re going to veg. No trip out of town this weekend. The bread making will have to wait and I’ll just have to ship the baby gift. Which is probably a good thing since I need to finish up three baby gifts for three baby showers at the end of the month (these showers are all together, though).
On to how I feel. Better, but not 100%. My stomach is still doing flips and making some pretty interesting noises. I still haven’t eaten a full meal since Monday night (which actually came up so I guess it was lunchtime on Monday). My appetite is still not all the way back either.
So far, the kids have not gotten it. I think if we can make it until Saturday with no illness, we’ll be in the clear…until they go back to church and get exposed to it again. 🙁
That’s all for now…time to veg with the kids!
Well, the stomach bug has bitten at our house. It’s been going around church for awhile. Josiah had couple of episodes this weekend where he spit up a large amount of milk. We didn’t think it was anything but overeating, until I got sick this morning. I’ve been in bed all day but only threw up twice. Downing Powerade and just now eating some crackers.
We’re supposed to go out of town this weekend to a baby shower (well, I am) and to pick up some grain…so, I’m praying the kids don’t get it and that these crackers will stay down.
Oh, and we got our camera in yesterday. I think Mark will post pics later of Ace and his haircut (and a surprise from him too).
And, no, I’m not pregnant. Yes, I’m sure!
I have a cold right now…my children love to share germs.
Anyway, I needed to cut the boys’ hair and decided to jump in and do the all over cut with the clippers instead of the bowl cut they’ve had since I first cut their hair.
Gone is the bowl cut, here is the new super slim cut. It looks really cute but they look a lot older. I used my #7 guard on my clippers. Lots of hair and about an hour later, they’re done.
I can now cut two different styles of boys hair…actually three if you count getting gel and spiking it up (which I don’t think Mark would like too much). Yea me!
Wish I had a camera to show you all…but I don’t 😉
You’ll all have to wait until you see them in person or when the camera comes in (by the way for anyone interested, Mark chose a Panasonic Lumix something or other.).