How My Attitude
Influences My Family's 
I woke up this morning, took a good look around me, and
started thinking of all the things I have to do today. I began to feel
overwelmed. My 6 year old, 5 year old, 4 year old, and 2 and a half year old all
stood around staring at me as though they know what I was thinking. Before
I said anything, or displayed any actions of being upset, my 6 year old
(Christopher) said to his brothers "Lets go clean our room and help Mommy". I
wanted to cry, but instead I smiled. I went from the frustration creeping in me,
to feeling that I could do it. My day has a lot in store, but I have so
much to be greatfull for. I went into the kitchen to prepare breakfeast. While I
was in the kitchen fixing what they love (toast) I was thinking of how many
times I get frusterated with my children for things that are actually
quite small and petty in reality, but seem so big at the time. I
feel that I have done a fairly good job with the boys. I can't say that they
offer to "Clean the house" all of the time for me, or that they are always calm,
and well behaved. They are children, and they are bound by the same sin
nature as the rest of us.
Nearly every morning I have them go clean their room, and
they spend an hour or more till they are finished. The good part is
that most of the time, when they are finished, the room is honestly clean. Sure!
they take play breaks! Does it hurt for them to play in between if
they get it clean in the end? Ask Bob. I do get frusterated at the length of
time it takes them, and it is something that I must get over. They do not come
out to play or do anything (Outside of going to the bathroom) unless the room is
clean. We have made it clear that we disaprove of it, and they obey for the most
part. I have heard that they do more than most children their ages, and
that I should be happy when they are through. I need to take advantage of
the time they are in their room to do my own things that are needed done. Sure!
We waited till 10:00 to start with the "School", but it was worth it! While they
cleaned the room I was able to do my Bible reading, tidy up my living room, make
breakfeast, and take care of Baby Samuel's needs (9 months old). Jonthan didn't
stay in the room to help them clean for long, but he did come out to help me and
picked trash up off the floor, and I gave him a rag to wash the tables with
while we waited for breakfeast.
Well, this morning was a day all its own. My boys came out from the room,
asked me what else they could do, and I took advantage of the situation. I said.
"Christopher and Timmy can do dishes. I will put them away. Matthew can do the
dusting with Jonathan. Does this sound good?" I was amazed! I heard
"Yeah!", "Yea! ", "Hurray!" "Cool!" all coming from my children's voices (NOT
THE NORM.). The boys washed the morning dishes, and did such a good job. After
dishes were done, Christopher shouted "What else?" I said. Time for a break.
(They had already done quite a bit.) I sat the boys down then to do a phonics
game on the computer together. After they did the game together, Matthew
gave the computer over to Christopher. Christopher was delighted to get a turn,
and Matthew told me that he wanted to do something else. I then told him to go
get a phonics toy from off his shelf. He did so happily. After a while
Christopher handed over the computer to Timmy and went to join Matthew in the
bedroom. (In the meantime I am keeping Jonathan happy while typing here, and I
had put Samuel to sleep, then to the bed.)
When Timmy was done with the computer, Christopher was ready to do
more. Timmy came to me and asked if he could do something besides the phonics
toys. I told him that I could use some more help in the kitchen and he said
"OK", so off we were. Jonathan with a rag to wash the cupboards, Timothy to
sweep, and I at the counters with Samuel in my sling. Matthew didn't want to
join us, so I told him he could play in his room. He didn't like that idea, so I
had to dig up something else for him to do. (Now, get this. The Mommy is tired
of finding things that are different for the boys to do, so frusteration is now
setting in. I had to stop and re-think. "They are little. Stay
calm") By this time Timothy was done sweeping the kitchen, so I went into
my bedroom and got some of Daddy's old socks and put them on the boys. The boys
liked this idea, because they knew what it meant. "Soap Skating!" They all
cried, and even Christopher came out to put his socks on. I filled a bucket with
soapy water, and had the huge socks pulled up to the younger two children's
hips, and above Christopher and Timmy's knees, then I put some
socks on their arms. They waited anxiously for Mom to get the mop. As I put
soapy water on the floor with the mop, they all crawled on their hands and knees
and then I mopped after them. "Soap Skating" is so much fun. Even for this
Mom. :o) What a fun idea! I am glad I took the time to stay calm and think
things over.
Well, The Soap Skating is over and by now it is lunch time. Problem...
The kitchen floor is wet, and the food is in there. We all went out to the
dining room and got ourselves an apple to eat from the fruit basket and
sar at the dining room table to eat them. When we were finished I
checked the floor. It was nearly dry, but not what I would want the boys walking
on yet, so I waited a bit longer. I asked the boys what they want to do, and
Christopher went back to the Computer phonics games, and Timothy to the Phonics
games we have in the house (Leap pad type things.). Matthew went to play in his
room with the toys and Jonathan tagged behind. After a bit the floor was dry,
and we had lunch. When we were through Matthew asked if he could do the
dishes with me, and I let him while the boys went back to the living room to
play a memory game. Jonathan had nothing to do, so I put in a phonics video for
him that I had just received in the mail. It worked! Jonathan was very much into
the video, and so were the other boys. So much for the help with the dishes! :o)
Matthew was off to watch it too! At this time I had some more alone time, and
I found it a good time to fit in my prayers for some online
friends, and others that I know of who need prayer. Well,
After dishes, and the video was over, it was time to really get down
and play. We read books together, played games, and then the boys went back to
the room to play while Jonathan and Samuel took a nap. At about 4:30 I decided
to take advantage of my "extra" time, and I sat down to do some work
here on our web sites. After an hour of this I got word that my husband was
on his way home. I then got up, and started dinner. I didn't get
everything done that I needed to today, but I think for the most part things
went well. Things did get done, the kids were not neglected, and we all
benefited from the day. Daddy is home now. We all ate, had some tickle and
family time, and the boys are now off to bed.
The main reason I wanted my day typed out is to remind myself that when
things look bad in my eyes, It is up to me to change things. The day is made up
by my attitude, and my attitude holds a "bit" of influence on my childrens. It
is so true. Have any of you ever heard of the saying that "If Mama ain't happy,
ain't nobody happy"? It does hold ground. The only thing is that, in my home, I
don't want that saying to be the big topic. I want things to be fun and exciting
for my bunch, and I want them to remember the good ol' days, rather than block
memories out of their minds. I could have let the frusterations billow, then
explode in front of my children today, It is not like I never do, but I decided
to stay calm and do things right today. I am so glad that I did too. Life really
is short. I know I am not to remain here forever, but while I am here I want to
cherish the moments as much as possible, and to be a good teacher of "how
to present yourself" for my children. These life lessons are the
greatest. Don't forget the Math, reading, history and all.. Keep teaching the
subjects of school, but make sure that you have your Bible first, and that you
live by it. Make sure you teach your children how to present themselves, and how
to stand alone when the time comes that they need to. Mothers have a great job.
We never retire, but we have numerous rewards, and the greatest is seeing your
achievement in your children.
