Friday, February 11, 2011

The Child May Not Make it to Puberty

I need to vent. Some of you may be going through the same thing I am right now and if so please speak up. I need to know I am not the only one suffering with a strong willed child.

Let me explain my morning to you. I wake my ten year old son up this morning to get ready for school and he wasn't to happy to be getting out of bed. In to the kitchen I go to lovingly prepare a nutritous meal for breakfast. OK, I put cereal in a bowl and poured milk on top of it....

Anyway, in he comes, plops down in the chair in front of his breakfast and begins to complain. "I HATE SCHOOL" he tells me. I reply "Well, you have quite a few years to go so you better find something to like about it" I'm not sure what the next thing was that came out of his mouth but it wasn't pretty because I instantly got irked and told him he'd be wise to close his mouth before it got him in big trouble. Here's where the willfull child comes in....

Next thing I know, I look into the kitchen to find my son sitting at the table, hands down by his side, mouth closed, his cereal not touched. He just sits there silent and still. I get what he is doing..... he is closing his mouth. Does he like to annoy me????

So I make him go get the rest of the way ready and then send him back to the table. Again, he sits at the table but does not eat. Finally, I say "what are you doing?" "Well, you told me to close my mouth" he says sarcastically.

Now I am mad! Two can play this game and make a point. I take away the cereal, dump it down the drain and send him out to the bus stop. No breakfast. A little hunger won't kill him but it might just make his brain remember next time that Mom doesn't like that type of behavior.

The bus came and I now need to go spend a little time in prayer before he comes home.

12 comments:

Monica said...

Oh Sherri, Sherri, Sherri...how many times do you (do we all) that to your Heavenly Father? I feel many lessons in this scenario. Just sayin'...haha

Sherri Watt said...

So true Monica. After some time away from him I can see the lessons too. lol

tam7777 said...

Stay as calm as you can at all times with children. Give him choices like would you rather finish getting ready and then eat or maybe he really didn't want to eat, offer him juice instead. Just a thought. Kids like adults like variety. I found out choices work much better. My kids are 21, I have a son who is getting married today. So I have been where you are now and I have lost my temper more than once. Hope this helps.

April Lorier said...

Oh, Sherri, the memories this brought back to me. I could hardly wait for my boys to grow up and get out of the house. To my eternal surprise, I have since discovered it doesn't stop at childhood. The older they get, the better control of the English language they get. And they use it. Human nature is human nature.
One thing to meditate on is how great it will be in our Eternal Mansion without all the sarcasm and rebellion! Until then....we need our quiet times with the Lord. April, So California

Anonymous said...

James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath (anger); 20 for the wrath (anger) of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Yep, so many times I have proved this! And this one I'm holding up as an example:

I Thess. 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Sometimes it's hard to tell with this age (Leah is here also!) if this is really being unruly or actually fainthearted about something; and definitely weak in other things... but either way, I'm supposed to be PATIENT??!! what? there it is again. And I always thought of myself as a patient person. HA!

Praying for you (& your sweet husband) as you parent. :)

Michelle.

LoCTY said...

Our son is 14 now and going through those horrible teen years, I also went through it with my step son. It's no cake walk bringing up kids. There isn't really a manual or real guide book but I thank God that I am His child and because of that I'm so much better at giving sacrificial love to my wife and kids and I constantly am learning through His word. I have a good idea how you often feel 'cause of my continuing experiences with my kids.
LoCTY!!

PuzzlingChristian said...

Parents and their children must find a way of better communication, and this differs from person to person.
It helps to remember how we were at that age. Not all of us were like that but we need to have patience. Thankfully God teaches us, and helps us.

Maggie Ann said...

OH boy, I remember some difficult days when my son was acting out...and that was years ago..and it all really bloomed when we had to switch from Christian school to public school. What heartaches we had from time to time. Its tough to grow up ..in sort of like 'vegetable' soup....with lots of things in the pot...our kids can't change, that may be bullies....or just plain bad attitudes.. or overbearing...teacher?.....we'll never know for sure maybe. Hope you don't mind reading the t houghts rolling thru my mind. I've enjoyed my visit to your blog, you have a good ministry here =) !

Apron said...

Another great article. I like that you are very honest and direct to the point.

valerie said...

Hey girl, long time huh? Oh yes I can so relate to having a strong willed child. My 7 year old boy is definetely that!!!! I find myself constantly praying to God over him! But I love him and I remember what my mom use to say about me, "this to will pass."

Love and missed you girl!

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Sherri Watt said...

Thanks everyone for your comments and prayers... As you know, with parenting comes chances to grow in many ways. I am grateful for your encouragement and prayers.

Sherri