Now my boys are great. They have wonderful manners. They are well-behaved and a pleasure to be around. But of course their sweet mouths get them in trouble: arguing with each other (or their parents), calling each other names, and just saying things the nice young gentlemen shouldn't. And it makes me just a tad bit crazy. Well, "tad bit" may be putting it lightly, don't you think?
So what's a mother to do? Take a cue from "World's Strictest Parents"! One set of strict parents had this consequence for toilet mouths: clean the toilet. I like that. While my boys don't have "toilet mouths", they do commit the aforementioned grievances. And I am prepared.
I LOVE it!! Seriously, I don't think the strictest parents are that strict on that show. They seem like normal parents should be!
ReplyDeleteYou probably agree with me on this because of teaching, but I think that ALL children generally want to please people and will do what they know is expected of them. If parents, teachers, and society as a whole all have high, well defined expectations, then kids live up to those expectations. If there are no expectations, guidelines, or rules. . . well we know what happens then. Great entry, Bevy!
xoxo Bethany
I've never seen the show, but I love your idea. We have washed our kids mouths out with Ivory soap exactly one time each--that was all it took! Another great consequence we have used a couple of times is having the offender write an essay on why he (or she) shouldn't have done what he did (or should have done what he didn't do). Then, of course, follow up with lots of hugs and grace!
ReplyDeleteI am forever preaching "choices and consequences" and my son has learned many lessons on his own because of this. It's a life lesson.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this show ~ what night is it on?
Jo
I love it! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou are RIGHT ON! I wish more parents were like you (and me), especially with boys, they are a different "animal". I can't tell you how proud I am of my 3 boys hovering adulthood (20, 17, 16). My husband and I are embarrassed by the amount of people who tell us what fantastic boys they are - genuine, caring, etc. etc......but let me tell you.....they cleaned a lot toilets to get there!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. There is a Mom in Houston who raised 10 boys! She has written 2 books about it because they are all smart, good kids. She suggests when 2 kids are arguing making them clean together. She suggests that when you give them a task to accomplish as a team they learn to work together:)
ReplyDeleteWe were just talking about this at my new Bible study this week...so ironic.
P.S. It is becoming really difficult to comment here because it keeps asking me to sign into twitter. I don't tweet (yet--there is not time) but every time I try to comment or even some here to read this message box comes up 3-4 times. I am not sure you knew about this or not so I wanted to let you know.
ReplyDeleteU R A good mother!
ReplyDeletexoxo
SC
I think a pink monogrammed snuggie would go nicely with my jammies and complete my outfit!;)
ReplyDeleteJo
I love it:)
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! Tabasco on the tongue also works well. No, I am not kidding!
ReplyDeleteI just found the show the other day while flipping channels. I was stunned at the behavior of the kids. As I teacher, I get to see all types of behavior. Love the toilet cleaning consequence. My children have weekly chores they must complete. A friend was pleasantly surprised when she visited to see my kids dusting. She doensn't have kids, but teaches too. She commented on how she wishes all parents required children to take on some of the responsibility of keeping up a home. Kudos to you for the great idea.
ReplyDeleteI am jotting that one down for future use! You rock!!!!! And your blog posts make me smile...and giggle. Thanks!
ReplyDeletepg&s told me about the tabasco sauce a while back. I've done the soap thing... I think you need to have your boys wearing pink monogrammed snuggis while scrubbing their pots! LOL
ReplyDelete