why I can't have everything I want.

Lately, my husband and I hear, "I want ..." more than anything else. It's very frustrating! We have taught our kids to use manners and ask politely for things, but PG (our four year old) is going through the I want it and if I don't get it I'm going to scream my head off phase. FUN times in our house.

To make things even more complicated, I have serious health issues that have caused me to lose a lot of my mobility, and I can become ill at a moments notice. PG, knowing this, will flat out tell me no and run away out of my reach and refuse to sit in time out. I have learned that when she refuses to sit in time out that taking a favorite privilege away teaches PG that time outs are the preferable consequence.

Sometimes I have to remind myself that kids go through their own growing pains and each one's pains are different. Where MB didn't throw fits like PG, he had his own growing pains ( still does).

I know it's imperative that the kids learn to wait for things they want. Sometimes it just seems easier (because we're tired, or have a headache, or just want some peace in the house) to let them have their way. I do know that there is so much to learn from being patient and saving money, earning privileges, etc. Especially in today's society of convenience and pleasure.

I have difficulty waiting sometimes or saving money for things I want instead of buying something on credit or using money I have right now that would have been better used for something else. I also find that I struggle with saying no. When so much money is being spent right now on things I need (new shoes to fit my AFO, a rollator the insurance wouldn't pay for, crutches, a cane, lightweight clothes, etc.) it's hard for me to not buy the kids some new clothes or hair do-dads or a treat to help them feel better about all the changes.

I also know that some of the temper tantrums and demands are due to the changes we have had to make in our lives to accommodate Mommy. Moving the furniture, playing outside earlier in the day when there aren't other kids because it's not too hot for Mommy, missing going to go the park or library, are just some of the changes. And, of course, when Mommy becomes frustrated because I can't give the kids the little things they want, it trickles down and the kids begin to act out causing the frustration to grow. It turns into a vicious cycle.

But, I still know that even through all the temper tantrums, melt-downs, slammed doors, and screaming, the kids are learning a valuable lesson that you can't always have what want.