Magic Formula

I shared awhile back my frustrations with two fighting children. Well, the bigger Olivia gets the worse the fighting. She's turned into quite the energetic little warrior. And that's all Martin needs to push his buttons, a feisty little sister. There were some hard, no fun, discouraging days recently where they did not play nicely for 5 minutes the entire day! No exaggeration! I think they had developed the habit of only communicating hatefully with one another. And it wasn't like I wasn't stepping in. I had tried both, just letting them fight and hoping they would work it out, as well as vigorously intervening. You know how in boxing (not that I watch it or anything), but sometimes the ref. jumps in and separates the boxers, and sends them to their corners. Yeah. Well, that's what I felt like. I was the ref. separating two boxers, and the whole time they were just eyeing each other from their corner of the ring, waiting for me to step out of the way.

Well, I figured out how to solve the problem. Seriously! It's like magic! And I'm pretty sure I should have figured this out years ago. So, no. I won't be earning the mom of the year award this year. Bummer.

SO, want to know my magic formula? (Watch you all shaking your head that it took me this long to figure it out. OK, so math was never my thing. Right Dad? (my math teacher))

OK. Here it is.

Martin + Mama + Olivia + active play = peace, love, and lots of fun

This week I changed my plan of attack. Housework and computer is (mostly) saved for naptimes. The rest of the time is spent with my children. Not just sitting on the couch in the playroom and watching them play, but getting down on the floor with them. Building lego animals endlessly. Reading countless books. Coloring stacks of paper. Thinking up fun new pretend games. Puzzles - lots of them. Baking dozens of cookies, and yummy loaves of pumpkin bread (with them taking turns throwing in the ingredients).

And it works. Really and truely.

I have seen an amazing softening in Martin this week. He is much more loving and gentle. He is happier. He's TRYING. And Olivia is getting there. She's not as volatile. She's still my feisty little 2 yr. old, and we're working on her, but even with her I've seen a huge difference.

It's like magic.

Thank you Lord, for my precious children, for Martin and for Olivia. You gave them to me, and I want to enjoy every minute. Thank for letting me stay home with them, and finally figuring out the way to their hearts - through gentle words, time, lots of hugs and kisses, and intensively fun playing. Thank you for making them SO delightful! I learn every day from them. I laugh every day because of them. Help me to be a good Mama, a godly Mama, and to love them. Let them learn to love you even more than they love me.