I just wanted to wish you all a good day! It is so hard sometimes to focus on all the many blessings we have in our lives. Remember any day you are able to wake up is a day that you have a CHANCE. Many people won't have what you have today, the opportunity to love your family, to reach out to someone in need, to make difference in someone's life...

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 06, 2001

Answers

My first thought on reading this thread was of all the cleaning I need to do today now that the kitchen ceiling is finished. Now, I don't know what it's like in other people's homes, but at this house, when the daily schedule is thrown totally out of whack like it has here recently, the children go haywire. They are more whiney, they fuss and bicker among themselves, etc. Last night in prayer meeting, it suddenly occurred to me that that hadn't happened this time. In spite of all the disorder, our children have remained reasonably well behaved.

So today, as we go about our cleaning, I shall remember the Lord's blessings to us and our family. I will also remember that my children are more important than the house we live in and make sure I spend some time having fun with them. I will remember, that although we haven't had one full day of sunshine for at least two weeks, it has been warm enough to keep the fuel bill low, the clothes on the line (instead of in the dryer), and the chickens out scratching for themselves. We all really have so much to thank the Lord for that there's no time for complaining.

Do any of your children have trouble with the Grumpies? Here's what we have done. I give the grumpy child a piece of paper and some markers. I have them list 10 things or people they are thankful for. The first time I did this, the child said, "Do I have to?" in a whiney voice. I said, "I think you NEED to." By the time they got to the end of the list, I could see smiles coming out and the Grumpies, for the time being at least, took their leave.

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), December 06, 2001.

Hi Cathy, give those kids all a cleaning rag, and tell them to whistle while they work!!!

It is hard when the house is out of sorts. My kids have grown up with construction all around them, so I would say they are fairly used to it. But I am thankful that we are pretty close to being finished.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 06, 2001.

My kids get the grumpies when they are getting tired or coming down with something. As soon as they get grouchy I give them a "Gentle Time ouT" which they now know is not a punishment but simply a resting time-they can read, color draw, play quietly on thier beds- the rule is they have to stay on their bed-(though I'm allowing more slack for my ten year old-he can move about his room) but they have to be quiet-no radio, t.v. shouting etc. It does great and gives me a few inents of quiet time.

-- Kelly in Ky (ksaderholm@yahoo.com), December 06, 2001.

Melissa, every child has done something today to help. WE are not done yet. Everybody has had a decent attitude, and my five-year-old even reminded me of a certain cleaning job he was supposed to do a few weeks ago. He was given a rag, and got the job done. We're having a pretty good day:o)

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), December 06, 2001.

Kelly, I do the same thing. When the noise gets to an unberable level, I send them all to their rooms! Not as punishment, but just for peace. Cathy, I am glad you are having a good day. Kids really do like to help!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 06, 2001.

I have discovered a couple of things: 1) Five year olds love to vacuum -- especially with a dustbuster 2) Three year olds love to do anything that big brother thinks is cool. Give them a dustbuster for Christmas and make everybody happy!!

-- Christine in OK (cljford@aol.com), December 06, 2001.