Shooting it straight...there is no brilliant lesson or truth in this post. It's simply a post to share that minister's family or not, we have our struggles our issues, our down times.
Tonight - one of those moments. Our oldest has always been vastly different than me. She beats to a different drum and she has a strong will all her very own and I LOVE THAT about her...it's just that sometimes our beats clash (okay, well since I have no rythm to begin with....) For instance, as a 3 yr old she had an EXACT opinion about what she should wear - match or not. I on the other had, was of the opinion that she should match! Ha ha!
Anyway, one area that we are VERY different is that of cleanliness and organization. I cannot function in disorder, I really can't. Now, it doesn't have to be detailed and OCD but it has to be straightened, picked, up and generally clean. Hannah on the other hand...she could careless, the messier the better.
Tonight it was once again the room...she likes it cluttered and "lived in". I like it tidy and straightened. Enter the problem...I ask her to clean it, she picks up a few things but not much, and yep....I lose my patience.
Not the poster parent moment for sure...I did appologize, I did help with the room, I attempted to meet half way on expectations but just not one of those moments I am proud of.
So the point...still working on this parenting thing but thankfully I have a BIG GOD who is able. He holds, He encourages, He loves, and He forgives....
Now...what "mess" can I live with! Ha ha! Oh - parenting tips on getting a teen to keep a semi-decent room are MORE than welcome! LOL
3 comments:
Oh I wish I'd done this with my first kids, but didn't think of it until they'd left home! And the next 2 were boys, so it may not apply. But first...I had to SHOW them what I expected when I said "clean." Then when they came and asked if they could go somewhere with friends, my question was always, "Is your room clean?" If it wasn't...they couldn't go. Their friends got to where they called ahead and told them to get their room clean---they wanted to go somewhere. ha!
Maybe you could try putting tasks to clean the room into daily chores. For example, have her do her laundry on Tuesdays & Fridays. Solves the laundry on the floor (well, for at least those 2 days). Vacuum the entire house on Wednesdays & Saturdays. So on & so forth until all the jobs are covered.
I don't have a teen yet, but I can relate to the clashing....that different drum beat! And losing my temper. You handled it well though!! =)
Post a Comment