"Hey Mommy," Jane calls to the kitchen, "Jack showed me the food in his mouth that he already chewed up. I didn't like it. What should I do?"
Jack giggles, shakes his head, "Ignore it."
"Two, four, six, eight, who do we appreciate?" Jane swings her legs on the bench and swishes out more song, "Jack, Jack, Jaaaack."
The boy flaps his lips into tooting-gunfire. He grins, pokes Lulie. "Jack, that's not appropriate." He jabs her again.
"Momma," Janie takes the reigns, "now that you're 32 you should know that you don't get to force him to obey."
"That's right." I tilt my head, "I just discipline. Everybody get ready for naps."
Jack furrows his brow, puckers lips, "What about my chance to go outside?"
"I know, but you weren't being very nice to each other so I took it away." The morning chaos steers toward afternoon. I grab the reigns and hold on.
It's pretty much constant, day in day out--the push pull of making sure they are strong and steady, ready for holding the reins themselves.
ReplyDeleteMove over, Bethany, I'm jumping on the wagon with you! If you're taking the reins, I'd like to sit and ride awhile instead of holding onto mine :)
ReplyDeleteyou teach me how to hold on. you have strength, mama-sister. strength and gentle spirit. xo
ReplyDeletelove your gentle approach. we try that over here, but it never as consistant as it should be, but you are right. gotta grab those reins.
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes, the gentle approach. Fireworks did actually ensue on the way to naps and, whoa baby. Some days it feels more like a rodeo! All this on his birthday no less. Definitely not for the faint of heart. :)
ReplyDeleteGrabbing hands with all of you! Thanks.
I've enjoyed catching up with your last several posts, Bethany! So many great glimpses of life. You do it beautifully.
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