My sweet friend, Shelley asked this question..."Who's more the disciplinarian and who's more the softie between you and your husband when it comes to the girls?
OK, any guesses here? Now, remember, I'm the one who's always shedding crocodile tears about my girls and the things they say or do. Actually, the mere thought of them growing up is enough to turn me into a blubbering mess. Yes, I am definitely the softie when it comes to the girls and my husband is more of the disciplinarian. My girls know that I have a soft heart and they use that to their advantage...A LOT! Take my word, I'm onto their little game! Chris, on the other hand, tends not to budge when he lays the hammer down. Batting their big, brown eyes at him doesn't work, nor does begging and pleading for mercy! LOL! I think we strike a pretty good balance.
I have to admit that I was quite proud of myself the other day, though. Just the week prior, I had warned Brittany that if she came home late from being out with Patrick, her boyfriend, one more time, there would be consequences. She's, usually, very good about coming home on time, but she does like to sit out in the driveway and chat for an eternity! I told her that her curfew is when she should be walking in the door, give or take a few minutes. Well, the other day after school, he picked her up and they went out for an ice cream. I told her to be home by 5:30 PM because that's when we planned to eat. She walked in the door at 5:50 PM. I took one look at her, extended my hand, and said the most devastating words a teenager will ever hear..."Give me your cell phone." Yes, I took it away from her for a full 24 hours...because it's her lifeline and I knew it would make a lasting impression. Boy, did it ever! In a nutshell, she was NOT HAPPY with me! I think I saw steam coming from her ears, but I'm not sure. Chris called me that night from being on the road and he told me how proud he was of me for sticking to my threat. I was pretty proud of myself, I have to say! She tried to get me to give it to her sooner, but I refused! I made her sweat it out till the very end of the 24 hour period...right on the dot! As Chris always says, "Actions and consequences." I guarantee you that she'll think long and hard the next time she's told to be walking in the door! I know, I'm such a meanie...it's so much fun, too! :)
“Mothers of teenagers know why animals eat their young."~Author Unknown
P.S. I had intended to participate in Vlogemotions today, but my girls' last day of school was yesterday and they were NOT motivated to help me create a video, as I had planned. If I can convince them to try again today, I'll get it posted later on this afternoon or early tomorrow, so we'll see!
37 comments:
Okay...I had to laugh at that quote about animals.
Take away the cell phone...You are mean and horrible...hee hee... 24 hours???that cracks me up!
sandy toe
Good job, April!
I can imagine how hard it is to parent a teenager. I have enough trials with my 4 and 2 year old!!
They hurt your heart waaaay more than I had planned on!
Yes, I know those schools!!! I actually taught in Blount County. Do you know Tammy Cash? She was our speech pathologist.
So crazy how our paths have run right along side one another for quite a while and we are just now seeing it!
Where you guys moving to next? BE sure to tell me so we can keep up in proximity!!!
.mac :)
p.s. I just bought Jergen's cream last night to begin my washing regimen! :-)
You make me smile.
Both parents need to make a united front so that rules are laid down and followed. It sounds as if you and your husband are doing this. It's hard (but necessary) to be "mean." Good job!
On the other hand, we used to allow our daughter to park in our driveway as long as she wanted to IF that car was there on time. This way, we knew where she was. Think about it.
good for you for sticking to your guns...she may have been mad now...but will appreciate it some day...love the quote...I made it through the teenage years with my son and daughter...they weren't to bad...what was hard was after they got out of high school and started spreading their wings...now that is hard....
Yep I am the softie, too....and it seems that they do seem to push the boundaries, esp. when Dad is gone. Good for you for sticking to your guns!!!
Suzanne
Good job for stickin' to your guns!!
It's the opposite for us. I'm the toughie and Thomas is the softie. He would let his girl get away with MURDER!!!! He just cannot say no to her, very easily at least. It's something he's had to work on since he got home this last deployment.
He can't say no to me either, but that works out just fine!!!
I think it's great that your husband has an equal balance with you on the discipline. Every child should have that growing up.
I can't wait to read more Q & A and see more vlogging!! :)
It's great that you and Chris compliment each other so well. And good for you holding strong to your word. It's hard and I'm sure it's even harder with teenagers.
Good going, April! Proud of you! It's hard on us softies, but you just proved we can stick to our guns when need be!
XO,
Sheila :-)
Its good to show them you CAN discipline them if you NEED too!! Just so they get no one is a push over..
And taking a phone from a teenager... GASP.. the WORST punishment out there!!! :)
The cellphone you meant business lol thats where you can get Brinsley too!
This is one of the biggest struggles for us as a military family....when he is gone i have to be an all in one package and then when he comes home it is hard on the kids and us to adjust back to both of us working together in the discipline dept. It can be frustrating to constantly be having to "adjust" and never be able to settle into any sort of "normal" when it comes to the balance between softie and disciplinarian! We rely heavily on prayer and doing our best to communicate w/ each other! Sounds like you and Chris have it down...i pray by the time they are teenagers we will have it down that well!! =)
Two thumbs up and a pat on the back! GOOD JOB!
It's hard, isn't it? I find it even harder with the "baby". Hold firm, girl!
That's great that you were able to stick to your word! I bet your girl wasn't thinking it was great at all.. but you gotta do what you gotta do! So, way to go mean mommy!
Happy Thursday!
(fellow SITS here)
Good job April. It's hard for me to discipline, also. I hate it. One of those hard, but necessary things.
Wow, the cell phone. You really went for the jugular there, didn't you?
I never believed my parents when they said, "This is gonna hurt me more than it hurts you."
But now I have two kids. And you know, they were right.
Consistency is the key and you are sticking to what you say. HATS OFF TO YOU!!! I think you are a wonderful mother and your girls will thank you as they are older.
Good for you, Mom! At our house, I'm the softie too! HOWEVER, I can definitely bring it on when I need to. lol! Girl, there was one time that Morgan lost her phone for a week because of her poor grades! In her mind, we were the meanest parents that a teenager could have. lol!
Good for you for sticking to your word. It's hard but something we have to do as parents.
I'm more of the bad guy in our house...my husband caves everytime!
Way to go April! You are a super star Mommy! I dread the teenage years. I am such a softie!
thank you for your book recomendations! You know, I LOVE Tuesdays with Morrie. Definitely one of my favorite books of all time! How did you like The Five People You Meet in Heaven? You will love the Water for Elephants book. I am not even kidding! Tell me all about it when you finish, ok?
omgosh. now i remember how PAINFUL it was to have a cell phone taken away!
I absolutely looooooove your blog!!! You are an inspiration to me and I just wanted to let you know.
Hugs, Sandy from GA
oh i love the qote about eating their young!!!!!!
FUNNY.....but so close to the truth!!!!!
and we use the cell phone as punishment too!!!!!
my husband always asks them what part of being home and IN the house not in the drive way is soooo hard to understand!!!!!
so all teens must be alike!!!!!!
Such a mean mommy!LOL... Oh I do not envy parents today! My daugther is going throught the teen years with her son too! And yes, she has taken away the cell phone too! You would have thought the world caved in! LOL.. Stick to your guns! They will thank you for it later in life. I know my daughter did... and now she wishes we were even tougher! LOL...
How did we ever survive our teen years without cell phones April. I think you did the right thing, good for sticking to your guns!
I JUST last week quoted that line about animals eating their young, to the mother of one of my daughter's friends. So true!
I am the disciplinarian in our house, though. Hubby is a pushover. =)
Oh April, I am SOON to be a mother of a teen. PLEASE help me!!!!
Congratulations on making your point with the removal of the cell phone. With Jessica it would have to be the I-Pod!!
We are very envious your schools have finished.
Lindsay
I kind of figured that you were the softie... LOL! Good job on laying down the law!
April - I had a feeling you were a little bit the softie - but it's obvious you're a wonderful mom!!! I think it's good to have the good cop - bad cop in the parents - you need a disciplinarian - but you also need a little softness sometimes. It's a hard balance I think - I'm still struggling with being a stepmom - trying not to be the evil one you read about in fairy tales but don't want to let the stepson walk over me. Taking away a cell phone from a teenage girl would be tough - but I bet she won't be coming home late anymore - lol! (Hugs to you!!!
Shelley
Oh no! Not the cell phone! That's what my daughter loses if she is in trouble too. It's her lifeline as well. I wonder how we all survived high school without one!
I figured you'd be the softie anyway:)lol
Did you say LAST day of school!
Wow, we have 3 weeks to go!
You go girl! She will be better for it! (But don't try to convince her now! ")
good for you! my husband is the softie when it comes to Ella. i'm the one that lays down the law, lol.
being a parent is SOOOOOOOOOOOoooo hard (and fun...but shhh, don't tell the kids)!
Wow...how rude! No cell phone...that's just wrong! hehehe...You Go Girlfriend...Tabitha use to try me also and she learned after my many threats...lol...love the quote also!
Lexi, watch out!
I remember that quote... I think it might have been Irma Bombeck!
Post a Comment