Who's in Charge?

Hello.  This is Gina, reporting from sick bay.  I had a feeling that February would be bad, because January was illness-free (and I'm an optimist like that:), and I was right.  All of us have had some crud or another for weeks....ear infections for both children, head colds that turned into chest colds, RSV for Lilah, sinus infections and tooth decay for me (I only report on this because it was not a minor issue).  As for everyone, a month of family illness is draining, to say the least.  We've at least doubled our regular dates with our 2 pharmacists and various MDs....and that is saying something.

I haven't been able to make it to my bible study lately (btw, I'm starting to feel like one of those weird people who talks about 'bible study' 24/7....that's not really me, I just don't go anywhere else except Target, the grocery, and the doctor...and I've run out of stories to tell you all about how my kids throw fits or people say weird things.  anyhow...), but I've been getting my handouts.  The child-rearing one from last week, or it could have been 3 weeks ago, was titled "who is in charge", or something like that.  I can't really tell you what it said because, of course, I haven't read it yet.  But it got me thinking.  At first, I immediately answered (in my head, to myself) "ME!".  As, opposed to my kids, of course!

I'd like to think this is the case 90% of the time (although I'm sure the spiritual answer to that question is supposed to be, "God"), but it is certainly not the case lately.  Because, the children are whiny and fussy, and the adults are, well, about the same.  My work ethic lately has been "bare minimum"--that is, keep them alive, dole out their medicines, and feed them.  The in-between times have been spent pacifying them....giving the small people what they want so they will just be quiet. (I know, right? I'm a role model for mothers everywhere.  ha).  This mean copious quantities of TV, juice, and lots of yeses (this is supposed to be the plural of yes, I have no idea how you do that?) and almost no 'nos' (again,?).

And you know how long it takes the little people to catch onto the fact that there is a hole in the armor of their mother, the warrior? About .002 seconds.  They are loving it and spoiled absolutely rotten. Getting everything they want because their parentals are too exhausted to tighten the reigns? This is what every child works relentlessly to achieve, no?  Well, mine are winning and I realized this quickly yesterday when I noticed that Garrett had chewed an entire pack of gum in 12 hours.  And not, he snuck around and got 20 pieces of gum, but he asked me for each and every one---and I said YES! You know why?  Because I am weak and defeated and the balance of power has shifted.

They are in charge.

So, I am collecting my little ones and retreating to my parents for a week to restore my health and regain my power.  Because we all know that an extended stay at the grandparent's house is the way to redeem parental control, right?;)  Well, at least maybe I'll come back refreshed enough to begin the challenge.