1. Say yes to everything. I love saying yes. Yes to a little toy, yes to staying up later, yes to a treat, yes, yes yes! Bad mommy! This is not life prep. Just say NO
2. Take back punishments after slightly improved behavior, EVERY TIME! When I don't reneg on the punishment they are so put out!
3. Never let them fail. It's so tempting to step in and fix every problem my kids face but they'll never learn if I don't let them stumble a bit. I have finally stopped myself from bringing forgotten homework into school.
4. Argue with them- I mean really! Am I 5?
5. Lecture. It's parenting 101 that you don't waste your breath lecturing your kids... but I'm SO good at it. I have so many good points and examples and I could really go on and on about what happened and how it should have happened and what's going to happen! AHHH! In addition to them ignoring my current lecture, my credibility gets destroyed and they are making a mental note to ignore me in the future. Just stop talking Cathy!!
6. Rocking them to sleep. There is maybe nothing sweeter than a baby or toddler in your arms, eyelids heavy, falling asleep as you sing a soft lullabye. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to do this. But... at some point they have to learn to sleep without me. Unless of course I'm up for 3+ years of multiple night wakings. Yes, I know this from painful personal experience. Arghh! I started having Lucy cry it out a couple of months ago and it's going great but dang- I have to resist the urge to cuddle her to sleep most nights. The good news is that I'm getting much needed sleep and I've done lots of sewing in the meantime. :) And.. she's getting the sleep she needs. We do lots of cuddling when she wakes up.
6.One of the boys was mad about something and knocked over a box of books. Later in the day he was feeling better, everyone had made up and I noticed the mess. My first inclination was to pick up the mess (in my mind I'm thinking that I don't want him to see it and be reminded of his earlier frustration). But what?! Terrible idea- he needs to see that mess AND pick it up. Right?
7. Feed them goldfish 24/7. Goldfish = Crack for babies
I just finished rereading my all time favorite parenting book, "Siblings Without Rivalry." There are so many little things that we can do as parents to help our kids grow and be empowered and feel valued. I think I need to just set that book next to my scriptures and read from both of them everyday! :)
