Parenting

I've learned a lot in the last 6 1/2 years on this journey called parenting. I have learned to play the role of gourmet chef (HEY...betty crocker is gourmet people:), educator, nurse, soldier, stylist, personal shopper, financial supporter, and best of all...butt wiper. I can diagnose rashes, I can enunciate challenging words, I can work three jobs to buy toys we don't need, I am damn good at pigtails:), and I dare say there isn't a diaper incident I haven't experienced.

I have learned that being a "good" parent is beyond tough. That is where the role of soldier comes in. Bishop just threw the fit of all fits...he cried, he screamed, he refused punishment, he kicked his sisters toy on the floor. It was a beauty. We finally threw him (NOT literally people...do not call CPS) in the bathtub and told him he had lost his 5 minutes (he gets 5 minutes of video games before bed every night...it's his "thing.") You would have thought we had killed his puppy. I hated to do that...it truly is HIS thing...he gets his 5 minutes either with his dad or Papa...but we have GOT to get the fits and not listening under control. So...he not only lost it today...but tomorrow too. And then comes another battle...but that is what "good" parenting requires. I will have to put on my suit of armour tomorrow...the one that keeps me from falling for those sad eyes and alligator tears...the one that helps me stand my ground. Lord, help me...this parenting thing is tough...

I said all that to say this to anyone who has a teenager. PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY ARE DOING. I hear parents say all the time, "I'll let my kid have a myspace but I will monitor it." A friend of mine had a myspace created for her BY a student (yea...not good) so we had to search through some teenage myspace pages to find it. The first thing that disturbed me was how many students pages were NOT private...13 and 14 year old girls telling exactly where they live and where they go to school. If you actually look at the pages...HOLY COW. 13 year olds with VERY little clothing on...boys with porn stars as their "friends." The language, the SUBJECT MATTER...wow. I teach in a middle school, I KNOW what they are doing, but even I was shocked. Parents...beware...

So...yea...I am ready for bedtime...lol. Tomorrow is another day...on the battlefield. BUT...Jesus is my commander in chief so I think I will make it...