I did it. I followed through with my punishment with the boys. It’s not that I usually don’t, but today I tried something different. And usually I’ll feel guilty or I’ll just take the shorter route – spanking or time outs.

Today I had asked the boys to clean up their room. Gio did his usual and ignored me – not even acknowledging that he heard me. Seppe did his usual whining baby act. I asked several times and even though they went to their room – they did not clean. It was obvious that they were just playing with the toys they were suppose to be putting away. After a few more attempts at asking them to clean their room, I started to get really mad. I started to raise my voice.

Then I found a bunch of toys – good and expensive toys- broken. I asked what had happened and who had done it. Turns out they had gotten into a fight and made each other mad so they broke the other’s toys. I just about lost it.

It was sooooo frustrating!! It had been a long morning. I was tired and annoyed as it is. Ben’s car broke down and had to go to the shop. The house was a mess. I really wanted to just Scream!

Let’s face it, we all yell at our kids at some point. I feel like that’s all I’ve been doing lately in order for them to listen – especially with Gio

Just when I thought I was going to freaking lose it – I stopped myself. Why Do I have to yell? I don’t like to. I don’t have a problem with spanking but honesty, I’m over doing that too. It doesn’t seem to be working anyways.

Instead, I firmly told them to get into their beds and Stay there until I told them they could get out. You would think that this would be Easier to do than spanking or time out – but it wasn’t. Keeping them in their beds was a challenge. It took a spanking the first time they got up to show them I meant business.

I had them in their beds pretty much the whole day. They were not allowed to play with any of their toys and I told them that I was taking away a bunch of them. Obviously they have way too many toys and just take them for granted. I will be boxing quite a few of them up and until they show me they know how take care of their toys, they won’t see them. And these will be their favorites that I take.

There were tears and lots of “I’m Sorry” “You dont love me” “Let me out” and so on. I ignored it all. They got up to use the bathroom then back to bed. I let them come out for dinner and even let them have dessert – then it was time to get ready for bed. I gave them
Hugs and kisses and told them I loved them – like I always do.

It probably sounds extreme. But I’m really hoping that this gets through to them. I love my boys with all my heart but I refuse to continue to let them disrespect me. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day :-)