Needs a ruler

Ever had one of those days where your parenting was off by 3/4 of an inch the whole day? Mine started out waking up groggy to darkness outside which makes it even harder to get up. I heard little footsteps then peeled my eyes open to see Kyler standing right in front of my bed saying, "mom, it's time to get up and play!!" I rolled over, looked at the clock and told him "give me 5 more minutes" My poor children's concept of time will be messed up because my 5 minutes becomes 20. Once up Cade got up too. We decided he needed his hair cut because it was getting shaggy. Up until this morning he had been all for this idea. For some reason he chose this morning to have an emotional meltdown over it to the point where the back of his neck was all splotchy and red and looked like fingerprints. This upset me because it appeared we abused him when this isn't the case. sam and I made it clear to him that he couldn't get up and run off until the haircut was finished and he had taken a shower. He didn't care if his hair was cut all the way or not he just wanted to be done. Sometimes arguing comes naturally with a 6 year old but it gets me NOWHERE fast. I am learning to speak my case, and leave it at that. It is because I say so, you do because we say. Instead of mommy's nurturing explanations all the time. This is easier said then done at times. I just end up feeling as if I owe them something if I am too stern, yet I know they need that firmness and consistency. Thank goodness we are taking a parenting course through the church. And I am reading Dobson's BRINGING UP BOYS. And mom and dad had gotten us a cd collection called, total transformation I have been listening to latelythat has handy tips/advice on different behaviors.
Ok, so we get ready for church and leave and we no longer are out of the parking spot when Kyler begans a massive cryfest over not having a toy in the car. I threw a pair of socks back to him and told him to play with those. This did not accomplish anything at all (note to self). Cade found a toy and gave to Kyler and instead of me going back and taking it away as I should have because of the fit he threw I let myself be content since he was being quiet and I was already a little frazzled from the earlier event. Church was wonderful, was good seeing everyone, kids did well in their classes, we helped pick up afterwards and they even played in the gym for a bit...no problems. THEN, I was talking to the pastor's wife and Kyler comes up and wants to show me "peter pan" on the bulletin board. He began interrupting and then screaming for my attention. My natural response is to look down at him and find out what he wants but I knew this was not the best choice. I tried ignoring it and that didn't work so I ended up naturally responding. I had my hands full and was helping pick things up so I couldn't be drug off to look at the board he so desperately wanted me to see. Plus, I was STILL TALKING..imagine that.... :)
thankfully, Michelle in her sweet kind way shared with me the interrupting rule where the child is taught to grab the arm when they want something and wait till we respond. She helped me assess the situation and I had Kyler apologize to me for his screamfit, he attempted to say sorry to her and ended up just hugging and then i gave him a second chance to take me in and show me the board without screaming. This played out well...until we got to pizza hut and both kid began interrupting. I had explained the rule in the car, shouldn't they of GOTTEN IT??? They both finally started grabbing my arm but Cade would end up talking while he was grabbing. I'm not sure if they ever mastered it but they did do a little better by the end of the day. (you might wanna ask Michelle what her opinion was on the matter. lol)
the rest of the afternoon was pretty decent with no mistakes in it...until around 5:45 when Kyler decided he would punch cade repeatedly because he didn't win the tic tac toe game. I had already warned them once about fighting and said they would be going to bed early if it occurred. I sent Kyler straight to his bed and he has beenthere since. Aside from getting up to go pee. Cade turned out to be very very wonderful and loving and fun tonight. We did playdoh and drawing and legos together with very good conversation and no arguing or backtalking or whining. he said I was a sorta funny mom at one point...I asked him if that was ok and he said, "yeah, I like that you are so silly, but you aren't as silly as you were when you were a kid". I always tell the boys stories from my childhood that were goofy so because I am not pranking the babysitters, eating stinkbugs,sliding off of roofs in the winter time and drawing on the walls I am not as funny...but, thankfully still can be labeled "sorta funny". I guess I'll take it!
Somedays I think I want the supernanny over here and then others I can't fathom comparing myself to some of the families on that show. "we aren't near as bad as they are". In retrospect I shouldn't be comparing to others but should be continuing to see how to better my children's spiritual conditions as well as learning the basic tools for teaching obedience, listening skills and for myself remembering to BE CONSISTENT and reasonable. I will say that I am always asking them what Jesus would think of that attitude and reminding them that it makes him sad when we disobey.
I't sonly 8:30 but at 7 when Cade wanted to make playdoh lego karate men I was about to fall asleep on the table so of course now that everyone is in bed it's time for me to finish my last three chapters of my book and then head off to dreamland myself.
If I could pick two highlights of my day it will be "the new interrupting rule lesson" and when my voice was really really highpitched and squeaky and Cade was cracking up laughing from it and I actually thought for a moment that it had stuck this way cuz I kept trying to talk regular and it stayed in squeaky mode" lol.
I am hoping that tomorrow my parenting won't be off by any inches, but....I am expecting a few milimmeters at least. Guess I better go find my ruler!! :)