Few More Thoughts

My friend didn't answer so I thought I would add a few more things.

I have been pondering what to call the kids on the blog. You know, just in case someone ever reads this. :) But I decided it would be easier to just call them by their names and if need be, give them nicknames and edit previous posts.

Josh is in quite the mood tonight. Just a little insolent coupled with a smart-mouth. Not enough to really discipline for it, but definitely needing a reminder that he is walking a fine line. He can get in these moods and it is something that I am constantly monitoring. We had a big "meeting of the minds" at a wedding reception in the fall. He was actually crawling and hiding under the table with his grandparents and aunt/uncle sitting right there. It was obnoxious behavior for a two year old much less a fourteen year old! I took him in another room and after a long chat, I basically let him know that his rebellion against authority will only limit what we allow him to do independent of us. If he continues to constantly question our authority, he will find himself unable to participate in social events, camps, dances, etc. He will even be unable to attend youth group. Until we can trust him to obey, he cannot be trusted to be in situations without our supervision. I think it finally sunk in what we were trying to teach him and in the ensuing months we have seen marked improvement in his attitude.

I am reminded that as a parent you have to be willing and able to tailor your parenting style and tactics to the individual child not only in their childhood but also in their adolescence. If I were asked, CONSISTENCY is THE key to parenting all ages, followed by humor and adaptibility. Parenting is not for the faint at heart! We have made many mistakes along the way and our children are far from perfect but I believe that we are, along with God's guidance and grace, training our children to be good people - assets to our society.

I can't tell you how blessed I am to have the parenting partner that I have. My DH is an excellent daddy, not perfect of course, but so loving, involved and a true man of integrity. Where I struggle with anxiety, he is just so solid and steady. I worry and he calms me down! It hasn't been a smooth 25 years of marriage and we have definitely had to put in the work necessary to have a successful marriage BUT God blessed me when he gave me DH (even if I am not always grateful)! :)