Teaching a Lesson in Appreciation
This is more of a rant for me to blow off steam then it is a heart felt warm and fuzzy feeling post.
I would however love and appreciate any help, ideas, suggestions or heck even some vodka if your buying! (This post was actually written last weekend before the doorknockers came)
I have officially had enough! I thought I was raising my kids to be grateful and respect what they have but the message seems to have been squished and washed away like a bug on the windshield. My 5 year old who I must say is generally well behaved, has decided this last week that being a horrible devil child is more suited.
It only appears to be when he’s at home that his behaviour changes, when he’s at school he is very well behaved and excels. At home he presses my buttons within 30 minutes (easily) of me being awake. All of a sudden he HATES everything! If I ask him to do something, anything regardless what it is he responds with “I Hate ‘that’”.
How has this happened?
How has this happened so fucking quickly?
He has always been disciplined so he has never gotten away with this kind of shit. I am absolutely stumped as to why he has become this little ungrateful so and so all of a sudden. I did however take matters into my own hands today; I have plain and simply had enough! I’m over this attitude and he will learn the hard way. He has left me no choice.
I asked him to clean him room – “I hate my toys” so in the bin they went! (I let K (3) choose some that he wanted and then I took the rest to the Salvo’s so a child who will appreciate them can enjoy them). He has no toys left.
I asked him to make his bed – “I hate my bed” so I unbolted his bed and removed it from his room. He now has a mattress on the floor in his room.
Right now you may be thinking that I am a horrible mother and have taken things too far, I however would have to disagree. He is the kind of child who needs to be shown what it is like to have nothing before he can understand. He will learn to respect and appreciate what we have and how hard everyone has work to own and enjoy the things they do have.
K our 3 year old is respectful (for now at least) so I’m hoping this lesson will be learnt and learnt fast. I cannot go on feeling deflated and at a loss, his attitude towards um…. Well pretty much everything sucks. It just has to stop. I’m putting a stop to it – NOW!
Some of you (if you have made it this far) may stop following my blog because of my blunt honesty and parenting techniques and that is fine. I will not pretend to be the perfect parent with the most perfect kids. I am learning! It is trial and error for me as it is for so many other mums and dads.
Judge me or support me – it’s up to you but thank you in advance for the honest and non-judgemental people who decide to stick around with me.
RANT DONE!
In the next few days part 2 – The Result of the Lesson will be up. So if you stick around you will see if it worked or if I need to try something else.
Why does this all sound so familiar to me… and my parenting journey?
I get it. I also have an idea of how it will turn out.
If you want to debrief – email me. x
Did it tun out how you predicted? Let me know
oh and thanks fo commenting
Don’t stress about what people think of your parenting skills. Everyone will have their opinion, and everyone thinks that their opinion is the right one. We do what we have to do to raise our children the best we can, and with minimal damage to everyones sanity and mental health!
Chrissie xx
Yes it is amazing how judgemental people can be when it comes to different parenting styles. Thank you for support and I think it is only my mental health and sanity that has been affected (but I think that happened a long time ago!)
Wow – cudos to you for following through. I for one cant wait to hear how it goes for you as I may have to try emptying bedrooms myself. The angel / devil child is a common phenomenon. I see it with my own – other parents and teachers tell me how sweet and gorgeous they are to other kids, yet at home they belt the crap out of each other. Th only consolation is I am glad they behave for others. I agree with Chrissie above – dont worry about other people judging your parenting style. There will always be judgment unfortunately, you just have to ignore it and do what feels right to you. xx
Oh Sonia it is very bitter sweet when someone tells you your kids are angels. Its great they are good around other people but it drives you up the wall they can’t do it all the time. It is and always will be a constant battle but it is required for them to learn. Thank you for your support, it means a lot.
Considering the results.. I think it was a lesson well learnt! And even more he has become more respectful!!
Yes I would have to agree. The results were better then I could have hoped. Lets just hope that it lasts a little while