We interrupt the regularly scheduled blog post that was going to be posted today to inform you of….(wait for it….)
Operation Consistent Mom
Okay, so not as exciting as you thought maybe? Here’s the facts: I have three girls, we home school (i.e. we are home a lot) and we aren’t very clean (I mean, we wash our hands and the dishes most days (please don’t look in my sink right now) when it comes to maintaining a space, and we have a lot of emotions-particularly the older four (yes, I am including myself in the count).
The straw that broke this camel’s back: My daughter who was already very reluctant in her chore of unloading the dishwasher decides that paying me $2 and losing dessert for a week was perfect payment to not unloading the dishwasher. (insert admission of very bad negotiating tactics by La Gringa. How in the world did I ever agree to this?!). Seriously-she wouldn’t do them. Not screaming, kicking, crying…just flat out refusal. Whoa. Seriously?!
So I cried (since she didn’t someone had to!) and then prayed and got the great idea (thank you Holy Spirit!) to pick back up the book Laying Down the Rails by Sonya Shafer. It’s an overwhelming book that looks at the philosophy of Charlotte Mason in regards to habit training. Taken as a whole it makes you want to jump off then next high bridge but when taken in pieces (as I did on Tuesday) it’s really quite helpful. I chose the habit of obedience (which really means I need to get my rear in gear on being consistent with the girls when I ask them to do things).
I have to wonder-how in the world did I get here? We were very consistent when the girls were young but at some point we got busy, tired, lazy about making sure the requests for obedience (that have gotten bigger and require more responsibility) were actually accomplished.
*SIGH*
We are going to focus on this habit before moving on to Ms. Mason’s other top three habits (truthfulness and attention). “One thing well” as I tell my girls and now say over and over to myself as I make the trek back. up. the. stairs. to make sure they actually did clean up their rooms.
Updates to come!
La Gringa
La Strada Tostada 
Consistency can sometimes be the hardest thing, especially when the parents get tired and busy! I completely understand. I should take a peek at that book now and again myself! 🙂 I’ll have to borrow it some time.
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I must add this book to my list. Like you said, it is a little easier when the kiddos are younger to stick to consistency. The older Lilly gets, the more time I am alone with her in this house the less energy I have for it some days. I am glad I am not the only one that breaks down at moments of stand-off between mother and daughter.
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Oh, bless you, friend. It’s hard work, being the grown-up!
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Hang in there dear friend. I can only imagine the dish washing scene. Ugh! Motherhood is hands down the hardest job on the planet!
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I might need to read that book because I’m horribly inconsistent 🙂
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I’ve got one that would most likely analyze the situation and pay the fine/skip dessert rather than do the chore. I feel your pain!
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