All right, I'm glad the topic of my blog is so vague. Since it's winter, and exercising is just not happening that much, I'm going to start talking about something that is more of a challenge to me right now. Parenting. This is the hardest year I have ever had in this area. I think between puberty, missing his dad, and the prospect of his mom being in a serious relationship, that might lead to marriage, he is one confused, hormonal, moody, and defiant child. I am having to constantly come up with new ideas to try to inspire him to care and do better.
Thankfully, there was a turning point just the other day that I think will suddenly be a step toward the better. It was so weird too. It's almost as if my son could tell that was "IT" for me, because he did not even have a temper tantrum in response. Here is what happened. I came home from work on Thursday, to once again find that he had not done any chores, or his homework. The living room was a disaster, and he was just watching TV. I calmly said how this was it, and proceeded to remove every video game and movie from the shelf, and stuck them in my room to take to storage. Then, I unplugged the TV, VCR, etc. I thought, here it comes, he is going to have a melt down! But no, he didn't! At bedtime, he was loving and kissed me goodnight. The next day, I decided I was going to change how I offer allowance. Instead of saying "if by the end of the week, you have done your chores and behave well, you will earn $5. It never ever happens. So now, I bought a big jug, and at the beginning of the week, he gets $5 put in there, but in quarters!! And every time he mouths off, I take a quarter out! It is already working so well!!! We'll see how this works. I am at my wits end. The last 6 months have been pure hell. Almost every night has been a melt down/ temper tantrum. And the fact that Stephen has witnessed all of this and is still with me is a miracle!!!! Nico has not being doing ANY homework/ school work/ chores. Nothing!! And then he has a problem when he's punished. He's acts horribly when we are out to dinner, and we feel like we can't take him anywhere. So I'm hoping just maybe..........
I will keep writing about my daily challenges, because there usually is one. And if he's excellent, you'll hear about that too! Thanks for listening
