I was smirking about my husband’s prayer (something about the conservatives winning the elections) and he called me on it.
“What?” I answered, “I smile all the time.” I guess I really set myself up for the next comment.
“No, you don’t,” is what I heard from my darling six-year-old Joy. “You just scream at us all the day.” My eldest daughter backed her up.
I sucked in a breath and tried to defend myself: “I laugh and smile a lot!”
“Only for a picture,” was Joy’s reply. How that made me laugh!
I have thought a lot about this conversation. I’m afraid they have a point. It’s sad that they don’t think of me as a happy mom. Seriously, I do think I’m laughing on the inside much of the time. However, I often feel more like a drill sergeant than like cheery Susie homemaker. Do some of you happy moms have any tips or wisdom that you could share?
This post is linked up to Mud Pies for Mommy’s.
That’s a loaded question.
I could be funny and say, vodka, lots of vodka.
I haven’t had my kids at home for a few years now, so this advice might be dated. But, I still have my kid moments from time to time — and the one thing I try to do is listen. Really listen and pause, before I speak.
I don’t know if that will work in your particular situation, but it’s all I’ve got right now.
Or, how about “Keep calm and carry on?” Nah. 🙂
Haha…..thats too funny. I love how younger kids have no reservations regarding what to say and what not to say. 🙂
This really made me laugh. Out of the mouthes of babes! It reminds me of when my kids were little.
Oh, we also had this situation here! I was laughing really hard during dinner about something my husband had told me, and my daughter asked in shocked surprise – Mom, wow, since when are you laughing?
And I just felt the same you did – Really? I thought I was laughing quite often. But then again, it´s all those duties and sceduled dates and resposibilities that maybe make us forget to laugh in between.
I’ve been having the same problem although the kids haven’t said too much. I can tell by the hurt look on their faces when I’ve really crossed the line. Lately I have been waking up every morning with the prayer, “Lord, I need your help with the kids today.” That has helped the most. Also, I heard a great program on expecting obedience. The lady gave several signs that show that you are not expecting obedience from your children. One of them was that you have to yell at them in order for them to do what you want them to do. That helped with my perspective on things. Now, I’m trying to discipline with a pleasant attitude right away when they don’t obey. That really cuts down on the yelling.
You might like to listen to the program Building Blocks for the Family. It’s different speakers speaking on various topics about the home. It helps me keep my perspective. You can find it live at 1:30 your time on bbnradio.org
Shoshannah, you are exactly right! I let things slide until I’m angry and then I throw a fit of my own. I have apologized to my children. Getting back to the basics!
They are so honest aren’t they. My kids would have said the same thing. I often think I am laughing with them, but somehow they just seem to remember that I may have yelled at them at some point that day.
Thanks for linking up! Can’t wait to see what they say next week!