a doozy of a week : parenting

I'm realizing the older kids get, the more complicated parenting becomes. I think my eternal dilemma is finding appropriate consequences and methods for teaching the kids.

I desire so much for them to be honest, true, strong for the right, and pure. And my heart is sad when they don't seem to learn the lessons quickly. Not that I always learned these things quickly either...

On Monday, after a battle over tidying rooms and the kids having honesty problems, they lost tv privileges all week. It was my choice obviously, but goodness - it's harder on me than them. But I do have to say it's been nice to NOT listen to the morning kid's shows. And chores are sometimes getting done earlier (keyword: sometimes)

So this week has been a tiresome parenting week. I felt like Hannah was pushing to see how far she could go so I was trying to set the appropriate limits and lay down the law.

But I also felt like I was missing the deep-down issues and trying to put my finger on what they were.

My sis-in-law reminded me that kids push and push their limits (perhaps not realizing why) to see if you'll be strong with them. It helps them feel secure as a person and in the relationship when the parent defines rules and limits.

But she also reminded me that positive interactions are so important through the hard battling times... to write positive notes or say kind remarks about their good behavior, accomplishments, and such.  Those positive moments help them feel loved and secure as well.

And last of all... last night I was reading Julie Beck's Gen R.S. talk from last conference. She talked about heeding personal revelation.

"[Personal Revelation] will happen as we allow ourselves to be still enough and quiet enough to listen to the voice of the Spirit."

That reminded me that I need to seek inspiration through scriptures and prayer for parenting struggles ... to be still and quiet in my heart to be able to hear.

I saw this quote on a blog that I thought was appropriate for my week. I may not have pleasure in disciplining, but I can find joy and happiness in parenting and loving and teaching my kids even if that means it comes with a little struggle and hopefully a little accomplishment.