I am one mean mama!

It's not a title that I'm necessarily proud of, but I think, one that reflects the necessity of providing strong discipline. I think my kids expect it from time to time. The other day, I discovered (with Charlie's help) that Kyle was throwing little rocks from my driveway onto my front porch. At least that was better than him throwing them on my car, which he and Charlie had done just a few days prior. I told Kyle that he had to put the rocks in his hand in the driveway and go straight to his bedroom for time out. Then, I said, "On second thought, you put those rocks back in the driveway and clean up all of these other rocks from the porch." I then went inside to continue making dinner. When dinner was ready (only about 7 minutes later), I went outside to call Kyle in figuring that he was still working. Well, he wasn't on the front porch or in the front yard. I asked the other kids if Kyle had come in and they said "no," then Charlie said Kyle was in the back yard. So, I asked him to go to the back yard to get Kyle in. I went back into the kitchen to put the food on the plates and the next thing I hear is, "Mom, can I get out of my room now?" Kyle had already come in and put himself into his room! Oh, and the rocks were all cleaned off of the porch.

Yesterday, they were all testing limits, well, except Joanna. At one point, Marcie and Kyle were in time out in their rooms and then I fussed at Charlie for copping an attitude with me. I threatened him with going to his room but he quieted down quickly. About 15 minutes later, he came and apologized. It was so sweet! Marcie also apologized with some coaxing and she was reasonably well behaved for the rest of the evening. Kyle did fine after time out, as well. Joanna knew she had come out smelling like a rose and promptly asked if she could have candy after dinner because she had behaved. You know what the answer was to that!

I knew it wouldn't last. Joanna was so stubborn this morning and simply refused to talk. She has several mosquito bites that were itching and I told her that I would put some cream on them but she had to use her words and ask for it. (I'm trying to teach her to communicate her needs using words, which she is quite capable of). I told her at least 3 times between breakfast and being dropped off at daycare that I would put it on her bug bites if she asked for it. She never did, so I never did. The only thing she said to me was "yes" when I asked her if she understood and told her that she had to open her mouth and talk to answer. So, I guess she wanted to suffer with itchy bug bites today, because she sure as heck didn't want to talk. I think she'll realize fast once she gets to kindergarten in the fall that if she wants something, she'll have to ask because people are not mind-readers!