Bickering

I have four fantastic sisters-in-law. And that is an understatement! I occasionally am with groups of women who are expressing the difficulty of some aspect of "in-law" life, and I always think to myself - not out loud of course - I'm the "luckiest" girl in the world.  My entire family is phenomenal, I love my mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters and nephews (I have no nieces)!  We get along well, we have fun together, we share the same faith, and we like each other. It's truly a gift and a delight!

So, I was sitting at the pool last Friday with one of my sisters, and we actually had an opportunity to visit - amidst the splashing, shouting, and chasing of pool toys. She has three boys older than mine, and so I was picking her brain about parenting. I wondered when the bickering and constant correcting and negative talk would be stopping. She gave me hope that by 16 it may be tapering off. . . 

In the course of the conversation (which was interrupted multiple times by my correction and discipline of the rough-housing in the pool) my loving sister gently said, "I can see that control of your kids is a very big deal to you right now." Ouch. and Thank You.  The translation - "Ease up a bit, Jen, and give them some space to figure it out." It was hard to hear - and she probably did not mean it as strong as I heard it - perhaps that's because I knew I needed it!  I know I've been controlling lately.  I've been listening to myself and quite frankly, I'd hate to be my son sometimes. I correct and contradict him as often, if not more, than he does the same to his brother.

So, I'm figuring that this wise sister must be praying for me, because a baffling change has come over me this week. It's been remarkably pleasant, but completely mystifying - - I've been keeping my mouth closed!!!  I've been listening to the same stuff, but handling it in a different way.  I'd love to tell you about it - but I just realized that I need to go get my miracles from the farm.  They've been spending the evening with Farmer Daddy.  

Consider this post - To Be Continued  :)