It was just me and my sister growing up. No boys. Just two girls, two years apart. My mom was and still is a phenomenal mother. She modeled motherhood brilliantly.
Sadly, I didn’t have a model for two things:
How to raise boys.
How to raise five kids, homeschool, and maintain a home.
And because of that I’ve learned two very specific things:
Boys are not girls.
Five kids, homeschooling, and housekeeping yields a more messy home to what I grew up in.
Oh, and did I mention: boys are not girls.
I’m not going to be specific as to the situations that developed in my home today. It’s not important. What’s important is that they are getting small group interaction and conflict resolution training. How can people say that homeschoolers aren’t socialized? They were all sibling related. Horsing around on stairs. He promised/No I didn’t arguments. He gave it to me; he can’t take it back. I was able to use the KeepYour Word, First-Time Obedience Come With a Blessing, and That’s Your Choice But You’ll Have to Accept the Consequences, and the No Sweetie Because That’s Your Brother’s Stuff lectures.
I got to put Neosporin on an abrasion. I issued mercy to a repentant little boy. I even got to give the Mom Stare. It was a busy day. They had me cracking up inside. I couldn’t laugh out loud. If I did that, they’d think I was watching them like fish in a tank.
Now, in the latter part of the evening as they all sleep and prepare for sibling adventures of the morrow, I am cracking up! Ever notice that husband-wife conversations in this season of life sound like “Did I tell you what number #3 said to #4?” It’s fun! We love our kids, of course. But we also like them a lot. They are characters. Fun people, thoughtful, talented, and just downright witty. I would choose them as my friends.
There’s not a real point to this post. Really, there isn’t. Basically, I love my children.
By they way, thanks to all who commented on the last post. Your replies reflect concern, compassion, empathy, and encouragement from you all. Thank you for that. I try not to process my “stuff” on this blog, but give myself a few days to marinate. I was afraid of being too transparent, but I think it’s good for us all to be real.
Well,
Leave a Reply