Don't try to make everyone happy- because you can't. Yes, there will lots of fun times and there are times that kids get to decide but it doesn't happen in real life and it doesn't always happen for kids. I find when I stop trying to make everyone happy, everyone is usually happier. It's so good when you can get the focus off of self and satisfying your own wants.
Consistency- some of this ties into above. I would sometimes try to mix things up so everyone got a first turn, or everyone did some of each of the chores, but that doesn't help. Once the kids learn that this is the way it's going to be than they deal with it better than always thinking that maybe Mommy will change her mind. I put this on WFM but it could also very well be on DWFMW (that's doesn't work for me Wednesday). I think the key is it only works if you do it. It's so easy to let things slide thinking that it's easier and it may be at the moment. But in the long run, much harder.
Super hero squad- one of the hardest things in our marriage (probably most marriages) is good communication. James and I were blessed to be able to attend a Strong Bonds Marriage Retreat in Kansas. During the retreat, we practiced the "speaker-listener" technique. It's a great method for ensuring both partners are listening to each other- the tendency is often to hear what you want to hear and use listening time to think of what you want to say next. Last summer I heard Janelle using that with her kids and thought what a great idea. No, it doesn't go great all the time- often the kids need help doing that but isn't that what we're here for? And we're all learning!
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