I love my kids, I love them so much that sometimes disciplining them hurts me more than it hurts them and following through takes every ounce of my being even though I know it is best.
Yesterday, I overhead Matt say a curse word. It is not a good word and I was shocked to hear it come from his mouth. He said it very matter of fact in having a conversation with himself. I called him to the room I was in and asked if he said what I thought he did. He was scared to admit anything. I told him I knew where he heard it from and that "source" was being taken away from him. I explained that the word he said is just ugly and that if he says it again his mouth would be washed with soap and other things would be taken away.
Well, later in the afternoon, I had to follow through on this punishment/consequence. I heard him say it again this time followed by an "oh no", he knew he said it. I called him to the dining room where I was at and said "did you just say what I think I heard". He admitted he did so I took him to the bathroom where I pumped some of this soap on my hand and wiped it on his tongue. I wouldn't let him take a drink or wipe it off for a little bit. I asked him if it tasted good and he told me "no". I told him that as bad as it tasted in his mouth is how bad that word is.
Now some of you may not agree with my method but I am not asking for your approval. As parents, we find it difficult to follow through sometimes whether it is out of being tired, not wanting to be "the bad guy" or lack of wanting to take the time but we need to realize the impact our not following through makes on our kids.
It is like breaking a promise! Is it a fun promise, no! but it is necessary. Our children need to know we mean business about things. I do believe in picking my battles but as simple as this incident may sound this is an area this child struggles in. Not every day, once is a great while but if I don't stop it, will he know how important it is for him to stop. We need to determine where our children struggle in their sin nature's, call them out on it and help them to avoid returning to that sin. I need to be able to be strong enough in my commitment as a parent to lead my child in the proper direction, no matter how much it hurts. After all, God has gifted these kids to me in order that I may help lead them in the direction God has planned for them.
Follow through.......something that isn't always fun or convenient but is so necessary.
