I have my moments when I want to pull my hair out and scream at the top of my lungs "Why can't you remember to do what I say, when I say it, and how I tell you to do it!!!" I get so frustrated with my kids sometimes and I have a hard time remembering to count to 10 before I lose control. And yes, I have lost control more than I like to admit.
One of the reasons that I have decided my kids don't listen, or don't do what I ask when I ask it or how I tell them to do it is because they are all just like me...strong willed. If you tell me to do something, I will get around to it when I want (I am the queen of procrastination) and how I want to do it (I usually think I have a better idea of how it ought to be done). So, how can I be upset with my kids?
While the day to day grind sometimes is difficult to deal with, I am constantly reminding myself to look at the bigger picture. My kids are well behaved (mostly), they are productive (usually), they know what they want (and is is usually good things), they know how to work hard to get what they want (for the most part) and most importantly, they know what is ultimately the most important. Isn't that what we want from our kids? I'll give you an example...
Not one of my kids can take out every single trash can in the house on any given day. They usually grab the full ones, some of the stinky ones (who puts a dirty diaper in a bedroom trash can?), and the kitchen one. But with a total of 12 cans, which do not get full every single day, rarely do any of them forget to take the cans and put them on the street for the garbage man to come every single Wednesday. Does that make sense? They know that a full trash can on the side of the house is going to be a problem within a day or two, so they make sure that the important part of the garbage chore is getting that can to the street every week. I totally get that. It doesn't mean that I don't try to get them to collect ALL the garbage every day, but well, I'm not gonna stress it.
So, ultimately, I hope my kids get the importance of taking care of the small things, but for now, I will glory in the fact that they know what is most important.
*I have an 18 year old who has an academic scholarship and athletic scholarship to college, he works part time, does his home teaching, and goes to church. I will let go of the fact that he likes to scare his baby sister with his morph suit and he desperately needs a haircut.
*I have a 16 year old who gets up and leaves for seminary before any of the rest of us can even get out of bed every morning, she carries a full load of honors classes at school, is a varsity cheerleader, and cleans houses as a side job when she can. I can overlook that I am afraid to go into her room for fear that I won't find a way out cause it is so messy.
*My 14 year old has wonderful grades, plays every sport and is a leader on each team, he plays in the marching band as an 8th grader, and is super close to being an eagle scout by spring. I will overlook the fact that he is the biggest whiner when it comes to doing his responsiblities around the house.
*My 11 year old is a fantastic story teller, he even has a "self published" book in the elementary school library (the librarian laminated and bound a story he wrote), he plays all sports and is a leader on each team, he gets good grades, he is by far my best babysitter, he is active in scouts and is a loyal friend. I will overlook the fact that he cannot stop tapping his fingers and hands to the beat in his head, and that he cannot hang up his church clothes (or any other clean clothes for that matter.)
*My 9 year old is a loyal friend. She is artsy, does well in school, likes to read, is always finding ways to serve others, and LOVES her girl scout troop and activity day group. I will overlook the fact that every time I ask her why she didn't do what I asked her to do she responds, "I didn't hear you." EVERY SINGLE TIME.
*My 7 year old comes home every day and sits down to do her homework without being asked. She practices the piano without being asked, she takes care of the babies without being asked. She is alway drawing me pictures and writing me happy notes. I will overlook the fact that she never has any clean clothes because she won't bring the laundry down to be washed.
*My two year old and 10 month old are perfect and never do anything wrong, just ask the older kids:)
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