Celebrating Life

Yesterday, I had quite a run-in with my 3yo son. #6 is a tough fellow.

He decided that he was NOT going to make his bed. #2 is his buddy and is in charge of over-seeing his chores. I heard him arguing with her and then throwing a fit in his room. I go in and find out that it is over making his bed. I went in, spanked him, and told him to make his bed. Thinking we were done, I left the room. I was wrong!

About 5 minutes later he was throwing another loud fit. This time I went in and gave him a big speech about obeying his sister and obeying Momma. I spanked him again.

5 more minutes passed. I walked in to check his progress and found him complaining that it was too hard and he couldn't do it. Speech #2 was about being a sluggard vs. being a diligent man. I spanked him again. He assured me that he was the diligent man and was going to make his bed. I relieved my daughter and told her that I would take over the rest of his chore time.

5 more minutes passed. He's crying loudly in his room, bed still not made. I spank him again. Speech #3 was about being a good steward and taking care of everything God has given us. I was running out of ideas. I wanted to tell him that if he was unwilling to take care of his bed then he would lose his bed and have to sleep on the floor. I decided that that wouldn't work though b/c my kids love to sleep on the floor, in the closet, under the coffee table....anywhere that is not their bed. Soooo after considering a minute, I decided that he would lose his special blankey and pillows and would only be left with the big blanket on his bed. He didn't like that idea.

5 more minutes passed and I check his progress. Still a messy bed! Now I was really stumped. I thought the blankey/pillow idea would have changed his mind. I guess he didn't believe me. I spanked him again and told him to take all his pillows and his blankey to the couch. That did it! Praise the Lord! I had run out of speeches. My little son hugged me, and said he was "so sorry" and MADE HIS BED!!! Oh thank you Lord!

He had to take a nap without his blankey and pillows. At the dinner table he was telling Honey about it. When Honey asked him why he lost them he said "I was fighting wif Mommy." He had to go to bed last night with only the big blanket. Although he was sad, he handled it well. I was sad for him too.

If you've never had a fight with a 3yo, I would advise against it. They are formidable opponents!!