There are times where our house is like a clown car of kids. Extra kids keep coming in and the neighbors must wonder how they all magically fit, when the noise is going to stop, and if they are ever going to stop pouring out the doors.
Friday was one of the those nights where we had extra kids. Things were pretty mellow and everyone was getting along well. Xbox custody seemed to be shared with little drama and it was finally time to attempt to quiet the house. I was not foolish to believe that everyone was going to sleep.
After Lauren and her friend had cozied into their fort, Jonathon took it upon himself to think it would be a great opportunity to scare them with a deep voiced, "Raaahhhhrrr!!" The girls screamed. And then yelled at Jon and his friend. And then proceeded to tell me about the near heart attack they experienced while Jon and his friend proceed to laugh. Finally, everyone was separated and settled for the night.
The next morning, Lauren and her friend went outside to play. I thought nothing of it. When a very disgruntled Jon's friend walked up the steps and said, "Why did you wake us up so meanly?" I was confused. He asked why I was banging on the windows. Jon was soon upstairs and we pieced the story together: Two young ladies had been throwing snowballs at Jon's window knowing the boys were sleeping. Although the boys wanted me to exact some kind of punishment, I pointed out that I would then have to punish them for what happened last night. The boys exchanged sheepish grins. I blew my bangs out of my face so I wouldn't laugh.
The moral of the story: Sisters always get their revenge.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Monday, March 4, 2013
Teens and Trees
You know what's really hard about raising middle schoolers besides everything?
Not giving into the self-doubt that you as a parent are on the right parenting track. There are times when you are walking that track shoulder to shoulder with other parents, other parents are way ahead of you, some parents are way behind you, and other parents are so far off the course you wonder if you should be doing it differently or if they bothered reading the directions to get to the course.
I really like my teenagers. All in all, in spite of the struggles, and because of the good times, I have the privilege of seeing glimpses into the men they will become one day. I am blown away by their compassion, their humor, and their negotiating skills.
There are days that it feels like I am not doing enough to prepare for them the world or more accurately: They think their father and I are doing our jobs a little to well to prepare them for the world. Truthfully, it can be exhausting, but obviously necessary, to maintain consistent parenting standards.
One day, I was heart-weary in the way only parents can be of fighting the same battles, when I read this verse from Luke 6:43 "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit." I stopped what I was doing and took a deep breath. As I breathed, peace just filled my body. I knew in my heart Rich and I are "good trees" and we're doing our very best to give our four "branches" the best resources at our disposal. Those resources include our time, our faith, our family histories, and our community of friends to support their endeavors.
I opened my eyes and I was still the parent of middle schoolers. There was no changing that fact. I, however, am more confident my husband and I are on the right path.
Not giving into the self-doubt that you as a parent are on the right parenting track. There are times when you are walking that track shoulder to shoulder with other parents, other parents are way ahead of you, some parents are way behind you, and other parents are so far off the course you wonder if you should be doing it differently or if they bothered reading the directions to get to the course.
I really like my teenagers. All in all, in spite of the struggles, and because of the good times, I have the privilege of seeing glimpses into the men they will become one day. I am blown away by their compassion, their humor, and their negotiating skills.
There are days that it feels like I am not doing enough to prepare for them the world or more accurately: They think their father and I are doing our jobs a little to well to prepare them for the world. Truthfully, it can be exhausting, but obviously necessary, to maintain consistent parenting standards.
One day, I was heart-weary in the way only parents can be of fighting the same battles, when I read this verse from Luke 6:43 "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit." I stopped what I was doing and took a deep breath. As I breathed, peace just filled my body. I knew in my heart Rich and I are "good trees" and we're doing our very best to give our four "branches" the best resources at our disposal. Those resources include our time, our faith, our family histories, and our community of friends to support their endeavors.
I opened my eyes and I was still the parent of middle schoolers. There was no changing that fact. I, however, am more confident my husband and I are on the right path.
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