Family Meeting

So between losing John and having our life turned upside down the family unit has taken a few hits. The perfect Mormon family with love for all, never fighting, always supportive, radiating the Savior's love, perfectly obeying mother all while looking perfect has not been us. I know, I know it is hard to believe, but I must confess it is true. It all came to a head this past weekend when the children turned into what I can only describe as devil children. It has been building between no summer schedule, me not used to being the main disciplinarian, and me trying to deal with losing John but still have enough energy to be consistent with boundaries/rule (which has not gone to well). So, after lots of yelling (not what I want for the family) and lots of tears on my part I decided that we needed to have a family meeting and figure this out together.

So picture this....Me and the 4 kids sitting around the kitchen table. I have paper, pen, the Scriptures, gospel art kit and we even start with a prayer! Good huh, almost textbook. We go around the table and each (except Miles) give a rule that we think the family should abide by. There is a little negotiating, or at least the kids trying to negotiate, about what constitutes "being kind" or "how many warnings do we get?" But it is going pretty well otherwise. Then as we continue the yelling and name calling starts! Are you kidding me? The first few rules are 1) We will be kind to each other 2) We will not yell 3) We will obey Mom. Well, all 3 of those rules were broken and the ink was not even dry! Fun times, fun times! Me being the Molly Mormon that I am decide to use my softest sweetest voice and try and redirect the kids back on topic while using words of kindness. Wow, I am good huh? Finally we are redirected and we continue on to Tommy's favorite part....hygiene chart!

I hope this will embarrass him when he is older, because that is partly why we have children right? We all know that Tommy is good if he takes a shower once a week and we are lucky if he actually uses soap! He actually tried to convince me that he did not have to take a shower on Sunday because he had been swimming on Saturday and that counted as "bathing"! Logic of a 11 yr old boy. Anyway, back to the meeting. I make a rule that everyone will shower/bath at least 3 times a week. Not a big deal for most of the family but the reaction I got from Tommy was priceless. He crossed his arms, gave a big huff, clinched his lips tightly and to complete it the glare that could kill! Is this normal 11 yr old behavior? I don't think my sister acted like this until she was at least 16 and I know I never acted like this! :0)

So, like any good Mormon mom I try to keep positive and lead the discussion in a spiritual direction. After of course I say to Tommy, "Seriously?!?" I am not perfect, I know! But I do give a little spiritual thought in about the Liahona and The Holy Ghost and how we need to be good so we can have The Holy Ghost guide us and be in our home. So, today was a little better and hopefully tomorrow will be even better. Tommy did take a bath in Grammy's pool and I did not force him to shower so all was well in his mind!