Drastic Measures

Lately, my children have been taking advantage of my formally laid back approach to discipline. Asking them to do something 5 times before losing my cool and then finally yelling at them to move them to action is not my favorite way to parent. I've decided their complacent attitude calls for drastic measures so I'm trying a new technique. It consists of asking them once, and if they continue to ignore me (or respond disrespectfully,) they are met with a swift consequence. Already been woken up and still laying in the bed 5 minutes later? Water sprayed in your face, coming your way. Ignore me or talk back to me despite being given the most benign request? Give me 10 push-ups. So far, it has been pretty effective. Yeah, yeah, not exactly Love & Logic but it is where we're at right now.

I feel like this new found parenting style is a mix between a military approach and how I train my dog. Maybe I should write a book titled Milacanine Parenting. One unexpected but amusing result is that Zach (who by the way, never receives these consequences,) feels like he needs to do penance when he sees his siblings doing push-ups or even hears the word. This may be the cutest thing I've ever seen.

In case you're wondering, Ben does not generally get away with such poor form. He earned a special exception because he was not actually in trouble;)