I have decided that the balance of power in my house has shifted in an unsettling way. I know that I am being terribly inconsistent in my mothering and I am now paying a price for it. Sprout has become a bit of a tyrant and I have only myself to blame. I have a tendency to respond to requests, aka demands, in an often hasty way. After rethinking my original "NO", it occurs to me that maybe I really don't give a shit. The result is coming off incredibly wishy washy and making me an easy mark. Even Pavlov's dogs knew that if you kept pressing the button long enough you would get results. Kids can smell weakness. It was after Sprout casually requested/demanded that I "Fluff her pillow" that I realized the true error of my ways. Mea Culpa, I give in.
But.....
Recently I watched an unsettling episode of Dr. Phil, that had me seeing Ghosts of Future Impending Doom if we keep moving along this same path. This woman and her 14 year old daughter yelled, screamed, and hit each other during arguments. There was no sense of understanding or trust. There was enormous disrespect. It made me sad. I thought, Jesus, what does it take to disintegrate a relationship that much.
I have always had a close relationship with my mom. I rely on her wisdom and patience always. It would devastate me if my own daughter didn't trust and respect me in a similar fashion.
So...
I am dropping the hammer and taking the power back from my tyrant.
One of the things that drives me the most crazy, yet is completely within my control is the meal situation. There are many days when I feel as though I should have a Bee Hive and a name tag that reads Flo. Serving up snacks with a sarcastic response and a scowl. That's not fun...enter THE SCHEDULE.
I have tried to establish meal times and was successful up to a point. Somehow it got out of control. The constant request for a snack was becoming ridiculous. "You can't have a snack. It's lunchtime." "I don't want LUNCH. I want a SNACK!" So, now I find myself arguing semantics with a four year old.
So I decided let's just put it in writing and silly little clip art pictures for the illiterate ones. I have to say she seemed to take to it quickly. Perhaps she is lulling me into a false sense of security or just thankful for some decision. But we were in bed on time with a 2 story max and just one song. Well okay one and a round of Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts. We'll see what tomorrow brings...
