Bentch.com » motherhood http://www.bentch.com I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. -- C.S. Lewis Sun, 03 Apr 2011 02:02:14 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 This is a day that the Lord has made…. http://www.bentch.com/2009/03/19/this-is-a-day-that-the-lord-has-made/ http://www.bentch.com/2009/03/19/this-is-a-day-that-the-lord-has-made/#comments Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:03:23 +0000 jennifer http://www.bentch.com/?p=654 and I will be rejoicing in it when it is OVER! Okay, so today has been unpleasant. Obviously. There have definitely been worse, so maybe I could just rejoice in that right now. And then rejoice again when the day ends…hmmm…we’ll see. Anyway, onto why my day isn’t working out all that well.

I woke up this morning with a massive headache. It is a pregnancy thing, I know, but this one is really bad today. Plus, I feel a little achy all over, which makes me think I might be getting sick AGAIN! I just recovered from a 2 week bout with a sinus infection and I am not anxious to make a go of it again. Really, I’m good. So, one of the first thoughts that ran through my head this morning was, “Oh my, I am not going to have any patience for annoying crap today. Bummer.” Then the kids walked in my room and the onslaught of annoying began. They are really bringing today. Their main issue lately has been the sibling fighting. This has only evolved in the last few months. Before that, they got a long really well. But now, it seems as though Breckin’s goal in life is to make Arwyn as mad as possible and Arwyn’s goal in life is to squeal anytime Breckin looks at her. So, he is constantly (I mean constantly) picking on her and she is constantly (I mean constantly) overreacting and expecting me to come to her rescue. He hits her, takes her toys, trips her, pushes her, etc… She screams as if she is dying anytime he comes within a 5 foot radius of her or looks at her. Apparently, this is all perfectly normal of a big brother/little sister relationship and I have been extremely patient about it all…until now. This morning, my headache couldn’t take the squealing every 30 seconds, so I decided to let them hash it out and left the room. Before I left, I set some ground rules. (disclaimer: I realize what I did in the following moment is probably considered really bad parenting, but….oh well) I told Breckin to stop hitting, kicking, picking on her. Then I told Arwyn to toughen up and stand up for herself. I gave her permission (in front of B) to punch him anytime he picked on her. He said, “NO!” to which I answered, “It won’t be a problem if you leave her alone.” Arwyn just looked drunk with power. I mean, permission to punch someone. Awesome! I told her if she squealed, I would just ignore it. I would not rescue her unless he was genuinely hurting her. Then I left. They haven’t fought since, but I still have this dang headache and still feel achy everywhere. So, at least half the battle was finally won. Until then, I am counting the seconds until Jeremiah gets home and trying to find my happy place.

]]> http://www.bentch.com/2009/03/19/this-is-a-day-that-the-lord-has-made/feed/ 1 Breathe, just breathe http://www.bentch.com/2008/10/28/breathe-just-breathe/ http://www.bentch.com/2008/10/28/breathe-just-breathe/#comments Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:08:01 +0000 jennifer http://www.bentch.com/?p=499 You know those days when you wonder if anything you are doing is right. Today was one of those days. I have them occasionally. Thankfully, not too often. I just sit back and wonder what I could do better and why I am failing. I think as a mother, sometimes so much of my self worth is wrapped up in how my children are behaving. Which is completely wrong, I realize. But, I think I play the blame game a lot in this situation. Meaning, I blame myself when we enter a rough phase with the kids. Yesterday and today have been very difficult and I am trying to remind myself that we all have bad days, even as children. We all have our own personalities and they will clash. Every child is going to be awful at times, despite the parents’ best efforts to discipline with love. And, most importantly, these children of mine were given to me by God, who never fails. Tomorrow is a new day.

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