Suffer the little ones

Have you heard about the Tiger Mom Phenomenon?

You haven't? The ENTIRE Internet is a buzz about it. Take a few minutes and read the article here.

Ok? Read it?

While I certainly have my own opinions regarding parenting, as I'm sure you do I can't imagine calling this little man "garbage"

Can you?

Mark 9:42

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Mark 10:14
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

While it's important to encourage our children, teach them discipline, develop talents and educate them, it's more important to nurture and love them

“Bring up your children in the love and fear of the Lord; study their dispositions and their temperaments, and deal with them accordingly, never allowing yourself to correct them in the heat of passion; teach them to love you rather than to fear you.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1941, p. 207.)

“Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost [and only then I think]; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

Gordon B. Hinkley

I personally think these great and inspired men are a better parenting gauge than "Tiger Mom"

The good thing today: my husband managed to get the boys to clean up that toy room! (I give it one day) ;)

Teresa

I'm a working mom and I like it!

This may ruffle some feathers and I'm at complete peace with the whole bundle!

The feminists can keep being braless, childless, and the front runners of the corporate world.

The stay-at-home mom fanatics can stay home, drive the mini van, and bake the bread.

I'm a mom and when I'm home I rock the mom thing. I change the diapers, make the sack lunches, mop the floors, kiss the boo boos and all that great stuff!

But sometimes . . . mommy needs to do something else.

I love going to work, clocking in (knowing I get to clock out later). I get to really challenge my brain, run hard in a different way. I get paid to change diapers, I keep little ones away from the light, and I'm called everything BUT mom!

It's all about balance and what makes me happy. I'm convinced I wouldn't be happy with either extreme. I'm not sure if this makes me a more balanced woman or a 1/2 of each.

The good thing today: after 6 solid days at home I GET to go to work!

Teresa

"I guess it's your job"

This week I went grocery shopping with my 3 kids, for explanation of how that usually goes down read here

I'm in the soup isle, trying to find just the right "Chicken Noodle" my daughter is laughing hysterically, my 5 y/o is making a cape out of his coat and my 7 y/o is making fart sounds with his mouth.

In my - I've said this a thousand times today, I'm tired and I'm trying to read this label - voice I said to my 7 y/o.

"Please stop making nasty sounds"

The man to my left, who is also reading soup labels, erupts in a belly laugh.

Because I'm sure NOTHING on that soup can could be that funny I assume he's laughing at me.

So I said:

"I know he's a boy, but SOMEONE has to teach him manners"

He keeps laughing and says:

"I guess that's your job"

Hmmmm, guess so.

You tell you're kids to chew with their mouths shut - even though it will only last 5 seconds

to keep their hands to themselves - again 5 seconds

use their inside voices - until something funny happens . . . in 5 seconds

wipe their muddy shoes before walking onto the clean floor - this never happens

put the dirty clothes INTO the basket - my kids average 50%

don't giggle when someone farts - will this EVER happen!?

Don't wipe their mouths on their sleeves - again with the 5 seconds

I say these things because I'm their mom and SOMEONE has to teach them manners!

Please tell me someday it will sink in and MAYBE they will finish a meal with a clean shirt.

The good thing today: quoted from my 7 y/o "did you know if you clean really fast you get done quicker?!"

I literally head smacked myself

Teresa

Scale Whoas

I'm working on being healthy . . . aka getting in shape . . . aka losing weight . . .

aka I weigh myself.

Yuck!

Today, the scale went the wrong way

I love how she looks worried!

The sad fact is when we diet the scale rules our day. It can determine whether she start the day happy or disappointed, whether we keep to the diet or toss it, and whether we wear a cute outfit or sweats again.

By we I mean "I"

Now if I was this cute little ball of chubbs

A 2 pound gain would be worth cheering about!!! Show off those rolls baby!

I'm not really going anywhere with this, just being observant and trying really hard to put on that cute outfit anyway!

The good thing today: I got actual sleep last night. Deep, comfy, uninterrupted sleep.

Teresa

Sweeping

I haven't swept in 4 days because I've been working.

This means the kids have had free run of the house . . .

the house is a mess!

My upstairs is all hardwood floors, and it took me a solid hour today just to sweep. As my agitation was building I started inventorying the dust pan contents.

For your pleasure:

4 marbles

5 torn book pages (from different books)

17 legos

3 forks

4 dixie cups

1 princess crown

4 lost bills

3 GI Joes

LOTS of rock salt

2 bobby pins

1 pink bow

1 missing glove

2 dirty socks

1 battery

1 bolt

2 nails

1 rotten tangerine

2 broken crayons

4 sippy cups

and LOTS of dirt

4 days people. 4 days.

The good thing today: Caffeine. Let's be honest here, it's not good for me but days like this it is a life saver!

Teresa

Winter Break Recap

The kids get to be home for 10 days and those 10 days MUST count!

We saw a lot of lights at the zoo, Temple Square and Thanksgiving Point

Christmas was a hit as always. We lived in our PJ's for 2 solid days and played

We lit the wrapping paper on fire, not because I was trying to be "green" but because I love watching the fire turn colors

Lot's of snow shoveling, sledding, treat eating, and cocoa drinking.

Of course this is what you did as a kid too right?

The bedroom fort when it was too cold to play outside, yes I let them sleep in it!

The good thing today: There is something nice about being back on a schedule, and following my diet will be easier without neighbors bringing plates of goodies by.

Teresa

God's Love is Perfect

I needed to hear this and maybe you need to hear this too:

The good thing today: I had a peaceful Sunday, and the kids go back to school tomorrow.

Teresa