My mom always says to 'pick your battles'. Especially in a marriage, and with your kids.
At first I didn't take her advice. I got riled up by every high-pitched scream, every spilled drink, and every unfinished bite of dinner.
But I'm starting to realize that the more battles I pick, the less I win. My mad mommy voice was becoming funny, and my kids were not taking me seriously.
Tonight, I caught my 5 year old girl piling a life-sized stuffed tiger onto the head of her little brother. He screamed and begged her to stop, and she laughed and kept bopping him on the head.
I spoke to her in a firm voice and put her on a time out.
When some time had elapsed, I called her to me and asked why she had been put on a time out.
"There's no way it hurt him MOM. It's made entirely out of FLUFF!" she snapped.
She may have been right, but that doesn't mean her actions were right.
By the sound of her sass, I had picked the right battle.
My kids may have run around screaming, left food on their dinner plates, and splashed bath water all over the entire bathroom floor tonight, but I have to deal with the challenges one battle at a time, and I've already picked my battle for today.
Linking up for Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop. The prompt: write about an argument you've recently had in 15 lines or less.
awesome advice from your mom...if we don't let some things slide we'll drive ourselves crazy and probably lose some leverage when it comes to important issues.
ReplyDeletehi from mk's
Good job. :) I know someone who makes everything a battle and believe me it's not working out very well...
ReplyDeleteThis post conveniently popped up at the perfect time. Struggling these days with the battles in our house. Mornings are the craziest. Meal times follow next. Getting them to clean the crazy that they create in their playroom. I get so tired of being the big ol awful grump. So I couldn`t agree with you more Bianca. Choosing our battles is definitely well worth doing :)
ReplyDeleteVery sage advice indeed. I learn this daily with my three and with the hubby. Sometimes you just have to turn a blind eye and pick what issue is the most important at that moment.
ReplyDelete*sigh* sometimes it feel like my whole house is a battlefield. But you are so right, if you pick your battles you may just be able to win those battles.
ReplyDelete