Jun 08 2009
Can you hear me?
Listen. That’s all I want my children to do. Listen.
My three youngest children seem so much difficult to get through to than my oldest was. I can reason, yell, cajole, bribe… whatever. Nothing works.
Some people say it’s because they feed off of one another. Others say it’s “this generation of children.” I say all of that may be true, but the simple fact of the matter is I just want them to listen.
If I say, “No talking at bedtime.” They talk. If I say, “Be quiet.” They talk and play. If I say, “Lay down.” They get up. It’s hard to recognize or notice when they are listening and behaving because I have to tell them so often do the exact opposite of what I say.
As a parent it’s very discouraging. I feel like a failure. I’ve had compliments about how my children are nice and well behaved. Some would say that is good. I believe it is, but I’d like to see some of that goodness directed this way.
I recently read (in More magazine, I think) that if you’re patient with a child they’ll be patient. If you respect a child, they’ll be respectful… something along those lines. The quote only made me feel like less than a parent. Is anyone that way all the time?
Now that this post has turned into a woe-is-me, I-suck vent; I think I’ll just end it here. It’s only Monday and I feel like it’s been a long week already.
