Life as a Yowler

I can’t even believe I’m writing this blog……on November 11. The Thumb of Michigan is currently getting a terrible snowstorm. I don’t know if I should laugh or cry, so I think I might do both.

Brandon had some business travel he had to do yesterday and today. He’s flying home tonight and miraculously his flight is still scheduled to land in Detroit later tonight. He has a packed plane because two previous flights to Detroit were canceled today.  I was worried about him driving home after his plane lands late tonight. Well, that worry is less now. He has informed me he is now driving to Ohio instead. I won’t even go into detail of why. It’s a long story and it’s business related. Someone has to go to Ohio before tomorrow morning and make a pickup. Brandon volunteered since Detroit is basically half way there. So he’s headed the direction of less snow(towards Ohio) than he would be driving in, if he came home. So it’s a blessing in disguise I guess.

In other news, I’m thinking of doing something radical. I’m thinking of taking away this kids iPod altogether. Now, I’ve never been one to let my kids just play on screens for hours. I set limits. I even started a reward system where I make him earn his iPod time. He gets 5 minutes for every book he reads. I mean it seems like wonderful parenting right? Well, I’m going to be real for a minute. This little dude struggles with anger….explosive anger. Tonight, he had a full blown hour long meltdown and it was all because I told him no more Ipod(he had been grounded from it for the last week, so today was his first day playing again and it was only for 20 minutes). After I told him his time was up, he exploded. For those of you judging, I used to be there myself. If I would see a kid throwing a fit, I would immediately think it was due to lack of parenting and discipline. Well, then I had my first child and I literally ate every word I ever said pre-child. I was the most clueless moron in the world. So all that to say….why In the world would I give my already angry child something that makes him more angry? It’s not worth it. We had a great week of good behavior with Joah. I got to thinking….hello Carla! It was probably because he was grounded from the iPod.

Once he calmed down, I was able to reason with him and we had a great talk. I told him to do something he enjoyed. We first played a board game together. Then he spent 1.5 hours reading his Garfield comic book. He was laughing and having a great time. I told him it was so good to hear him laughing. We ended the night reading a chapter of the Bible together and praying. He apologized and told me he really doesn’t know why he got so angry. I told him sometimes technology can be addicting. I told him I was convicted myself, because I spend too much time on my phone. It was quite the conviction since I am now blogging(on my phone). 🤣🤦‍♀️

The reality is technology is a huge part of our world today. It’s hard to avoid it. It’s not really possible. I at least want my kids to have their childhood though. I want them to play and imagine. As much as their energy drives me nuts, I want them to get it out In healthy ways.

One of the things I love about homeschooling is the kids have more time to play. I have them take “play breaks” between every 3-4 workbooks.

I love it when these two play games together. They’ve been playing Checkers a ton lately.

I have committed to making an effort to take the kids outside most days this Winter. It’s too hard to be inside all day. It helps all of our moods and gives us all exercise. It takes around 45 minutes to bundle up, so it really is a great time filling activity. Plus it takes care of all this energy.

At the end of the day, even when I feel like a failure as a mom, I know I’m doing my best. I’m so far from perfect, but one of my favorite parts of the day is bedtime…and it’s not just because the kids are sleeping. I love it because when I lay them down I get hugs and genuine “I love you’s” and “you’re the best mom ever’s.” Even on days when I feel like I totally blew it. Brielle told me “I’ll never quit loving you because you’re my mom.” It really makes everything worth it!