So for years I teased my friend who had six children about how many children she had. I only had 2, that's it NO MORE! So what happens? Karma bites me! The man I fell in love with (a whole different story I will share later, very cute trust me, it's worth the read) has 4 children and won custody of them from his first wife. So now, what do I have, SIX KIDS!!!
LOL And I wouldn't change a thing! I love all of MY children more than I realized I could.
Some say, "Aren't you hurting your kids by having so many and not spending quality time with them individually?" Uh, no. How can I hurt children by teaching them? They are learning to share, to love and to understand sometimes, even when you really want something right now, it's so much better when you have to wait a little while to get it.
Others ask, "How in the world do you keep your house clean?" and the answer is simple, I don't. I HAVE SIX KIDS. As my dad taught me at a young age, things in life do not come free or cheap. You have to earn things in this world. He also taught me about responsibility, and I want my children to know that too. Everyone in my house, even the 4 year old, has a job they are responsible for. If you choose not to do your work, you choose not to (fill in the blank). This can end in, no video games, no sleep overs, no dessert, you name it. I also feel family time is more important than cleaning. I don't remember if my house was messy or dirty when I was a kid, but I remember going to the woods and shooting rifles with my dad, playing softball, basketball and volley ball, I remember climbing trees, riding bikes and skinning my knees up. If a toy is left out over night that's okay, we can get it in the morning, but they will remember you taking the time to sit down and read to them, or letting them read to you, for the rest of their lives.
I'm the parent who believes teaching my child from the beginning about responsibility, choices and discipline will save them and I a LOT of heart ache in the future, starting when they are 10, 12 or 15 is WAY too late and you need to get your court clothes ready, you will be there often.
I believe sometimes a swat on the butt is needed, but never a smack on the face.
I believe telling your children about the danger of child molesters, drug addicts, alcoholics and rapists is the best way to scare them into being more observant of what is happening around them and help them make better choices.
I believe you have 18 years to use my wisdom, house and money, after that, learn to make it! I will always be there for you when you need me, but if you aren't in school, you aren't in my house.
I believe you have to teach your children that you need to WORK to get things, nothing comes free, you or someone else has to pay for it. I believe telling a child NO is one of the best things you can do for them in life, no matter how hard it is or how hard they cry about it.
I am old fashioned in every way, conservative almost to a fault, more loving than needed, more over protective than expected.
I believe the way my parents raised me was wonderful, I'm a good person and wouldn't change anything. And I got "whoppings", got grounded, drank from the hose, didn't wear a bike helmet, rode in the back of a truck on an almost daily basis and had no clue what hand sanitizer was.
I don't live in the fantasy world of people agreeing with me, and I respect their opinion, but, mine works best for me and my children. There is one thing for certain however, I will not see you in court in 10 years!
