Julie Stauffer

<<They are learning quickly how hard it is to "parent">>

My oldest is 11. She and the 8yo offered to cook dinner one night so I
could get ready to take them out to a Christmas play. I was thrilled!!
After I was ready, I came into the kitchen and 11yo basically has her eyes
spinning in their sockets. She says "I just got a view of your life."
(5yo, 3yo and 2yo wanted to help which quickly deteriorated into fighting
over counterspace ending in banishment from the kitchen by the 11yo).

I do think age makes such a difference for kids. My 3yo is hell-on-wheels
and has been since the day he learned to scoot across the floor. But today,
he sang in the children's choir at church, standing tall and singing his
heart out....no tantrums, no foot stomping.

But waiting for that self-control is a long and difficult process and the
more little kids you have, the harder it is. Kid A gets mad and takes a toy
from Kid B. Kid B gets upset and kicks Kid A. Kid A flops in the floor,
landing on Kid C who now is screaming and throwing stuff at both Kids A and
B. All this happened in the few minutes you were in the kitchen helping
Kid D try to double a recipe.

Actually the biggest thing I have found that works with my kids is talking
to them about us being a team and how we have to work together and support
each other.

Julie

Julie