quick little tip for mommas

i can not even count the times that i have watched a little something like this take place.

kid: mom, i want money to buy a drink
mom: (calmly) no...i told you before we got here that you couldn't buy a drink
kid: (whining) but mommmm, i am so thirstyyyy
mom: (whining back) noooooooo. stoppp asking meeeeee

i have seen and heard it with kids from all ages.

here's the deal
you may not realize what you are doing, but you are acting out Proverbs 26:4
"Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him."
sometimes our children act foolishly. when they do, we are told not to answer them according to their folly.
it makes us just as foolish.


when your child starts doing something wrong, whether in action or in word...
you have a choice.
you can either start acting like them, and responding in the exact same manner they are.

OR

you can answer by reacting with calm tones and in the confidence that you, as the mom...you know, the one in control? have.

choice 1. when you choose this option...both of you will end up frustrated and it will not end well.
funny though, because i don't think we normally even realize what we are doing! i can remember having a conversation with my 3-year-old about WHY we were going to go into TJ Maxx. i stopped myself, and thought..what am i doing? i am the mom!

choice 2. this way is always the better option. this is what God teaches us to do, and it will always have a better result!

i am not a fan of giving my kids orders, with the reason being  "because i said so"
BUT, ultimately, i am the mom.
i am the one who has been given the responsibility from God to train these children.
so there are times when i have to show self control and stop myself if i start sensing that i am answering them back in the same way they are talking to, or acting towards me.

my challenge to you moms.
tomorrow.
listen to your tone of voice.
is it whiny?
listen to the words that you are saying!
are you provoking your child? are you giving them an easy opportunity to respond poorly back to you?
stop yourself.
remind yourself that you are in control, and that your goal is to raise your kids to be self-controlled as well.
try it out. see if you notice a difference!
let's raise self-controlled kids together!