Evolution of a Disciplinarian
Posted by Danielle Bean in Family on Thursday, May 28, 2009
Dan and I used to be the only disciplinarians in our family. With older kids in the house now, though, often there are a number of us shepherding the littlest ones.
Much of the time, I find this useful. I’ll take all the help I can get. After all, it has recently come to my attention that I have become an old softy.
After baths the other evening, I was scrambling to get the wood floors swept. It... READ MORE
A Different Drug
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Thursday, April 30, 2009
A clever newspaper entry that wonders if the old drugs worked best—being “drug” to Sunday school, to church, and to the woodshed for bad behavior!
Thanks to my friend Lyn for passing this along.
Quitting the Penance
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Wednesday, April 15, 2009
This year one of my Lenten resolutions involved fitting extra prayer into my life. It’s prayer I felt I should have been doing anyway, but the arrival of Lent gave me the motivation I needed to commit to making it happen daily.
In past years when I’ve given up things for Lent, it’s been clear what I should do when Easter came around. If I’d given up cookies, Easter naturally meant I could enjoy... READ MORE
A Nation Of Busybodies?
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Family on Thursday, September 25, 2008
Case 1. Go read this post and come back ready to say what you think.
The gist of it is a woman calling the police because a neighbor allows her kids to climb a tree. Telling the kids to get down while it appeared no one was watching them I can understand and even admire. Calling the cops after you know the mother approves?
Persnickety neighbors we have always with us. My husband often refers to an... READ MORE
Chore War
Posted by Danielle Bean in Homemaking on Monday, September 01, 2008
One of the effects of having a large family is that, if you’re not careful, your youngest kids can become totally spoiled. There is always someone available, it seems, who is willing to indulge a preschooler or cater to the whims of toddler.
In recent weeks, it has come to my attention that the younger kids have not been pulling their weight at chore time around here. It’s just so much easier, I have... READ MORE
Never Fail Cure For Boredom
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Family on Saturday, August 09, 2008
We have an adventure with cousins planned for a little later, but the waiting is not going well.
Child who-shall-remain-nameless, whining: Mom, I’m booooored.
Me (merciless): I have some chores you can help me with.
Child (perking up): I’m not bored at all!
It’s like magic.
(For the record, that’s not my sink.)
The Work of Discipline
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Thursday, August 07, 2008
Yesterday, Camilla and I did not have an easy morning. I was struggling with more nausea than usual, and Milla decided to do her part to contribute to the household happiness quotient by not listening to a single thing I said. She’d throw something on the floor, I’d tell her to pick it up, and she’d turn away or run into another room to show me how dedicated she was to ignoring me. After a few... READ MORE
About Bullies
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Family on Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Today I’d like to introduce what I hope will be a regular feature. I’ll toss out what I hope is a provocative topic, you weigh in, and we all benefit from the variety of perspectives and experience. Here goes….
When I was a girl, Mom made a point of telling us if we ever saw a child being made fun of, she hoped her children not only wouldn’t participate, but would rise to that child’s defense.
“Sit... READ MORE
