Kids fight.
They also have team meetings on the hoods of vehicles, but that's not what I am here to talk about. Back to the fighting part....
Have you ever:
- Wondered what it will take to get your kids to be kind to one another?
- Felt exhausted by the constant bickering?
- Tried every suggestion that anyone has ever given you?
- Even tried a few suggestions you found on Pinterest?
Yup.
Me too.
I love them SO MUCH! But they seem to enjoy fighting with one another which drives me nuts!!! I typically don't let them see my internal frustration but try to remain calm.
Looking at Facebook and the perfect kids we tend to hang out with doesn't help. Because my kids appear on the outside to be kind, obedient kids. However, when they're at home, RV or house, they bicker, fight, and in general choose to not be kind to one another.
Like my last post, I'm on a streak of posting reality, letting it all hang out there, and explaining a new approach I've taken with the kids. We live in a broken, fallen world, so it won't work perfectly, but I have to try something.
My new mantra with them is 'Love or Nothing'. Either they show love or they keep their mouths shut and their hands to themselves. Don't we as adults forget to behave that way too? It's easier to roll our eyes or pretend that we are listening than to really love a person.
To listen well and care about a person's circumstances and feelings.
To spend the extra time caring on a person which might cause you to be late for something.
To give the appropriate recognition to a person at work when you could take credit.
Love or Nothing.
It's our new phrase.
We don't take pictures of when the kids are bickering, though we should, just to be real. But Paul suggested I show some snippets of life over the last few weeks. Each of these pictures represents parts of why I love these kids.
Love this kid; sometimes he plays the role of a clown quite well!
I Love Horses. And these kids.
Letting kids be kids. But how could you not love this?
Kids digging the large aquarium in the hospital waiting room.
These kids love books. And they love their cousins. Perfect combo in this typical situation at the Jusino house.
Characters given away by their expressions.
Non-washable markers can be put to good use, temporary hair dye.
Let's all try and remember today... Love or Nothing. If I expect my kids to do it, I have to work hard to do it to those around me too!
How about you?
Tell me how you have chosen 'Love or Nothing' recently.
Home Along the Way is now on Pinterest!!! Hover over the image below to reveal the Pin button!
