RazNoggle

Back talk is a problem in our house with the lads. It’s become almost second nature to them these days. I know, hard to believe such amazing little people can have such sinful natures, isn’t it? It’s one of those things, just about even with whining that sets my blood boiling. Arg! No one likes back talky kids. Everyone has seen parents somewhere struggling with a kid who has a disrespectful mouth.

So we have been working on this struggle for them. I can’t say I’ve had any enormous break throughs recently except that my own reaction/response needs working on first of all. I recently “attended” a webinar by this lady who hosts Positive Parenting Solutions. It’s a psychology based approach to parenting, and while, I’m sure there are things tucked in there that I wouldn’t necessarily agree with, but at the same time there is a lot of good stuff. Stuff that I have read from time to time in the Christian parenting books I have gone through. And sometimes it’s nice to have some resource to look at that gives you a slightly different approach. I’ve had a few… more than a few days recently where I’ve felt completely defeated and ineffective as a parent. I go to bed thinking the entire day or even week has been a complete failure where my input in raising our kids is concerned.

The webinar gave me a few things to think about with consequences, and maybe I’ll share those on here sometime soon too, because it made sense to me. Also something that has been hitting home a lot for me is the “one on one” time with the kids. I really do think that I’d see a big change in the monkeys if I would purposely give them more one on one time. It’s easier with Qade now that he has school that I help him with, but I need to carve out time for each of them every day and make it a positive time. That can be difficult on days where they are jumping on my buttons, and they know how to do it too! It feels like the last thing I want to do is sit down and cuddle, or tickle or play trains. But it’s so important that I do.

Anyway, here’s an article by the gal I mentioned with the webinar…. sorry I don’t remember her name, and I’m too lazy to look it up right now, but it’s a good article about back talk and how to deal with it. I’m going to read it again, and start implementing some of the steps right away. I’ll let ya know how it goes.

A big scary, and smelly I might add, monster lurked around my house all last week. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but we got to Friday, and every stitch of the lads’ clothing was dirty, and much of the rest of our stuff was as well. *sigh* This was only part of the mayhem! But it all got done and put neatly away, just in time for a new monster to begin lurking.

It’s inevitable I suppose…

Fall is here to stay, at least for a little while. I’m disappointed that I’m not excited about it actually. Autumn has always been my favorite, but this year I feel differently. I still don’t feel like I sufficiently thawed out this summer. I need to soak more sun into my bones before they start to freeze again! But the truth is, I wore a big sweat shirt most of the summer as well. I just can’t seem to get/stay warm!

But the other day, I tried my hand at making “apple chips” in my oven, and while it turned out a dismal failure, the apple cinnamony smell that was wafting through the house was lovely, and very distinctly a Fall smell. That kind of helped me with my “mood” a little bit, and at least resigned me to the fact that Autumn is indeed here. I think that once it truly cools off a bit more, and we can build a warming fire in the mornings, I’ll be more pleased. I’ve actually been longing for a good crackling wood fire for awhile!! Nothing makes me feel more warm and toasty…. except maybe staying snuggled under the covers when I should be up already. Ha!

I’ve been trying to prepare for the cooler weather by stocking up on some layering tank tops. I have to dress in layers in the winter. Even in the bulkiest sweaters I can find I’ll freeze if there isn’t more than one layer. So I found some on sale on Amazon, and I came across some at Costco too. I have a hard time finding them long enough and without that silly “shelf” that I can’t stand. But now I believe I’m all set with those. I still need to get some tights, because same goes with thick pants… they need help. And some good warm socks. All of mine are developing holes at the same time, sadly. I’m already very thankful for the warm lined Crocs that I scored over the summer!! I’ve been wearing them around the house and they keep my tootsies toasty. I love the new tile floor in our kitchen, but it IS very cold to walk or stand on.

So it’s come. School is in swing. Colors are bursting out everywhere. I was thinking yesterday as I drove home that in Autumn even the WEEDS start to look amazing. Really, the colors just can’t be beat! Cooler temps are being welcomed, by most. And today I am listening to Christmas music, and burning a “christmas tree” smelling tart in the house. If that doesn’t do it for me, pretty much nothing will.

Enjoy Autumn!!