-
Regular updates
-
I participate in...
-
I Support...
-
I can be found...
-
check it out
Focusing on the Positive
You know the story.
It’s 5:30p.m. You’re trying to fix dinner for the crowd.
The baby starts screaming. With babe in one arm and spoon in the other you attempt to stir the sauce in the pot on the stove top.
“What’s for dinner?” Little Davy asks
“Spaghetti,” you answer keeping it short
“I don’t like spaghetti!” Davy says stomping his foot
“I’m sorry but this is dinner, you’ll eat what’s served.” you say calmly
Davy walks off with a pout.
The baby, though not screaming is still crying intermittently in your arm.
Suddenly a wail is heard from the back room. It’s followed by running feet. Davy is chasing Andy with a lightsaber. Andy is now screaming and crying, “NOOO, noo!!!!”
He has run to you for cover and is hanging on your legs, Davy in hot pursuit.
“Stop it!” you start shouting trying to push Andy away with a spaghetti covered spoon. “I’m going to fall!”
The baby and Andy are still crying.
You grab the light saber from Davy’s hand and throw it into the living room. Now Davy is crying
“Everyone to the bedroom!” you boom
It’s now 5:40, your husband should have been home 10 minutes ago. You’re fuming that he isn’t there to help control the kids. Ater all you know he’s hungry after a long day and you are making the effort to have a meal ready, the least he can do is be there on time right?
You hear the sound of keys in the lock, a moment later the kids come running out happily yelling, “Daddy!!”
As your husband walks in the house you:
A. Angrily ask him where in the world he’s been. He goes on the defensive and a clash of words ensues
B. Mutter a small hi and give him the silent treatment the rest of the night
C. Say, “I’m so glad you’re home” and ask him to help with the kids so you can finishing preparing dinner.
Sadly I’ve been guilty of A and B too many times. Since when did my children acting up become my husbands fault? Usually at dinnertime, when he’s late.
He doesn’t show up late as much as he used too, but I ought to have practiced gratitude that he was there to help remedy the situation more than frustration that he hadn’t been there sooner.
I’m so grateful I have a husband who works hard to support our family, (even when it makes him late for dinner) and who takes time to play with his kids.
I find I am a much happier person when I try to accentuate the positive in every situation. I don’t always remember to do so but I’m trying.
Comments
2 Responses to “Focusing on the Positive”
Got something to say? Please keep it kind and clean. Otherwise I might have to share your email address with the spammers... Kidding. Kidding. Your email address will never be shared with anyone. But if your comment is inappropriate it will be deleted.
Something has come to my mind right now that I’ve never tried. What if the child(ren) had responsibilities for this last few minutes before dad gets home. Something on his/their level, maybe even a choice of two jobs to choose from. The child(ren) is/ are reminded to get his/their job done and report back before Dad gets home to check how he/they did? It would give the child(ren) and Dad some responsibility and structure that could help Mom get through getting dinner ready.
Not quite where you went with your own personal choice in how to handle the greeting time after work, but this is what came to my mind.
I think that is a good idea.
Or maybe we ought to have some “quiet time” playing in their room/reading books at dinner time every day.