Why is it that I feel like I’m begin tested? Am I the parent of the modern day Cain and Abel and before I know it I’m about to have a dire tragedy within my family? Yes, I’m dramatic, I think I covered that fact about 20-30 blogs ago. But I’m not exaggerating when I sit to recall my day and all I have to recall is the energy I’ve put into quenching the fires between my two sons.
On a way home from a friend’s party this evening I lost my cool…again. This time I had them take turns expressing what it is that the other brother does that hurts them, not physically, but emotionally. I began with Ryan telling Seth what it is that hurts and of course Seth wanted to interject and give his excuse or reasoning. Every time he did that I made Ryan start over. I did this till Seth could successfully recall in detail what actions he did that upset Ryan. Seth took his turn then and of course Ryan wanted to interrupt but thankfully, being the older brother, he got the point in less time and I thought I’d made some head way. However, another 5 minutes down the road something else was said and sure enough it was another match of wills. That’s the point that Crazy Woman entered my body and began to proclaim “If you don’t want to be brothers then maybe you should both pick another family! God blessed me with you as my children and each time you hurt each other you are hurting me and I can’t have you hurting one another! You need to support each other!” Then Crazy Woman left and Crying Woman took the wheel. I shamelessly allowed the tears to drip off my chin.
I won’t tell you which son was most affected…they are complete opposites, so I have one that is super compassionate but they are both loving children. It all ended when we finally got home to CALM DAD to save the evening. The four of us had a ‘family meeting’ and we asked the boys to tell the other what they did like about them. We ended in prayer, and the boys both prayed without prompting to learn to get along with the other.
Did I pass? Ugh…I’m not sure. I think I need to learn to parent without Crazy Woman and Crying Woman to lean on. I’m trying.
They are now surrounding me trying to read this as I end this segment. They are all the loves of my life and I’m blessed I just want them to recognize what they have in each other.
Blessings
Shannon