Ladies…It’s Time To Man Up!
“You know what really irked me when the kids were young?” My mother in law and I were having our weekly conversation and sharing our reflections on motherhood, this morning. I always love hearing her war stories, because she is an extremely even tempered person and I cannot image her getting upset over anything that her thirteen children could dish out. “I could yell at the kids to clean up until I was out of breath, but it had no effect on them at all. Yet, as soon as their dad would come through the door and give an order, they all scurried around like little soldier ants on a mission. Why wouldn’t they do that for me?”
My mother in law’s cry is one that echoes the sentiment of many moms. I feel that way all too often, when I’m nagging, pleading and eventually threatening to get even a small task accomplished. Why can’t we get the same respect that our counterparts do? We lack something. That something is called man power! Ooooooo…I’m about to be in real trouble with all the feminists out there. Well, don’t get your panties in a twist. Let me explain.
Men, in general, have a greater ability to think rationally. Women, as a whole, are more emotional. This larger capacity for emotion is why we are better at nurturing. The rationality of males is why they are such great decision makers and can be more authoritative. They do not get wrapped up in the emotion of the situation at hand, as much as women do. This makes them less vulnerable to showing signs of weakness.
So, our mission is clear. We need to grab a pair (figuratively speaking,) and man up! Emotion is a good thing, when applied to the right situations. However, when disciplining children or laying down the law, emotion needs to be kept under wraps. Instead, we need to look at the situation objectively. We need to create a blueprint in order to be clear and firm about what is expected. We need to put on our hard hats when when hurtful words are hurled in our general direction, so that they cannot play into the situation. We need to carry the hammer of justice when the kids break a rule. Think firm and fair. Pull out the old tape measure to make sure that the punishment fits the crime. We must use our ladders to rise above the level of the children. Losing our cool will only bring us down to their level. Above all, consistency is the key to a firm foundation for disciplinary success. All men know that without a firm foundation, the structure will eventually crumble!
So now that I’ve equipped you with these tools for success, strap on your tool belt and assert yourself as the new and improved crew foreman. Fear not, you can be every bit as respected and obeyed as any man! Remember not to discard your emotional side, as that is just as important in your role as a mom. Creating a balance between the two will allow your children to benefit from the improved discipline as well as continue to see you as the nurturer that you have always been. And no…you don’t have to use the urinals!
Tags: advice, chores, discipline, frustrationRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Parenting Advice
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