Finally--School Morning Success!

   I finally had a successful morning with my son's pre-school drop off, after a string of heart-breakers!
   I am the mom who, some mornings, sits on the child-sized bench and gently talks my son into going to school.  Other mornings, I drop him off and walk out with him screaming in the teacher's arms.  I am a bit of a spectacle at the pre-school.   If any of the parents of my son's preschool see this post, they will laugh.  I am sure they will get a kick out my report that something finally worked for me!
   The whole year has been hard, typical of new school-aged children who resist school.
   But this week has been especially hard.  I had let my three-year-old stay home one day, and he realized he had had some say in the decision.  HUGE MISTAKE!  His take-away: "If I can convince Mom I do not feel like going to school, she'll let me stay home!"  Argh!
   Every day since has been a huge battle.  His storehouse of artillery includes but is not limited to: whining, complaining, throwing himself on the floor, going limp, refusing to take a step toward the car, making it impossible for me to buckle his seat belt, and screaming as we are driving.
   I have scolded, informed, explained, spanked, cajoled, encouraged, enticed, and offered rewards.  To no avail.
   Finally this morning, I delivered the wham-buzle that worked: the simultaneous "threat or reward, you choose" scenario.  I said, "Sebastian, you are either going to get a spanking or ice cream.  If you whine and refuse to walk straight into school, I will give you a spanking.  But if you use a nice voice and walk straight into school, I will get you ice cream when you get home.  You choose.  You are only going to get one or the other."
   He immediately replied, "I choose ice cream."
   "Okay, then no more whining, and you have to walk straight into school," I reinforced.
   Well, he was silent in the car the rest of the way.  Toward arriving, he said, "Do you want to sing 'The Wheels On the Bus'?"  I took this as an attitude change and we broke out into song and, for him, hand motions.
    We arrived at the school.  I got out of the car, opened his door, and unbuckled him.  I said, "Remember. . . " and I said it all over again.  He quickly rejoined, "Mom, I've already chosen ice cream, remember?"
   He jumped down out of thew car (revealing that his serious condition of limp legs and inability to walk shown only moments prior were only TEMPORARY), waved and shouted, "Goodbye Mom!" as he walked into the school at a fast clip without even looking back at me.

   Miracle?  Maybe!  It seems like the reward and threatened punishment at the same time is the double-pronged incentive that he needs.  It's like swatting a stubborn donkey on the behind while dangling a carrot in front of him at the same time.  The two pressures together are what are needed to redirect the "force of nature" who is my precious son.  

Intense Year!

My favorite time of day is picking Jacob up from school.  I love hearing all about what's going on.   He is having an intense sophomore year.  The academics are harder than I had imagined, and it is hard to keep morale strong when you get the flu twice in a row, back to back (plus strep).  But with all that, his performance in soccer and tennis has been strong, his leadership of the student newspaper has been exceptional, and his faith and character development--outstanding.  I am blessed beyond words by him.

Maximizing Their Intelligence

    My oldest child got the best homeschool experience with me.  Then he went on to an excellent private school, and is thriving there.  He had close to a 4.0, and now is struggling a bit lower than that. . . only because every ounce of his brain power is being used and stretched.
   My next two children got good homeschool experiences, and are now in a school that is good for their spiritual, personal, as well as intellectual development.
   But the next two children are under-challenged.  They have very high intellectual capacity, and yet I do not think that capacity is being maximized.
   So, this weekend, I told them: "In addition to school, we are going to do some homeschooling.  I am going to teach you both to write.  You are going to be excellent writers."
   We are having so much fun already.  I gave both of them a stack of books.  We are going to do written narrations based on them.  The younger of the two has already written a three page report based on her first book.  I am very excited.
    I am completely determined to maximize each child's intellectual capacity.  I started strong with the oldest children.  I am going to finish strong.  
   

Quote of the Day

"If you want to bring happiness to the world, go home and love your family."
      --St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Such Fun Preparing for the Mothers' Retreat!

Professional help filling the gift bags. . .

Brilliant team of techies working on PowerPoints. . .

Me, cutting the banner that the company goofed, since I can't remember how to use a sewing machine!  When in doubt, use SCISSORS!

It has been such a joy, preparing for this retreat.  May God be with all the women there tomorrow! 

Annie Says She Is Going To Be a Nun

Annie has her heart set on being a nun!  She cries whenever she thinks about it.  She gets very emotional and solemn.  She hugs me for a long time.

Here is a letter she wrote to a nun:

Sebastian is a Guardian Angel

Boxing Match

   After friend Michael challenged Jacob to a boxing match, and after months of hype, we finally had the showdown in our backyard.  The fighters were neck and neck the whole time.  Here is a picture of Jacob taking Michael to his knees!

The fiercest boxer, however, was Sebastian, who is a roaring lion in boxing gear!

Upcoming Retreat

We are so excited to be offering a retreat for Catholic mothers at St. Rita Catholic Community in Dallas on March 24th, from 8am-3pm.  We will have Mass, Confession, inspiring talks, Adoration, beautiful music, and a Mother's Mission Statement Workshop.  It is a chance to restore, re-charge, and re-focus so that you can become the best mom God made you to be.  Please register at: catholicmothersretreat.com

"I love you, Mom!"

    Little Sebastian has been sick for the past week.  He is finally well, and back to his upbeat, chipper self.  It has been really hard taking care of him this week, since he was so miserable, upset, and frustrated.  I can sympthatize--I am no better when I am sick.  But all the same, its just hard.
    Tonight, he laid his head down in my lap, and said, "I love you, Mom."  He then sat up, threw his arms around my neck and kissed my cheek.
    Oh--I would live three lifetimes, just to have that moment.

Blessed by Mom

There are so many ways I am blessed by my Mom--her humble and loving example, her love for me and our family, her tireless work for those in despair and need.  Happy 70th, Mom, and may you be blessed for many decades to come!!

Careers for Our Daughters--a Catholic Perspective

   I gave a presentation to a group of high school young women about "Choosing Your Career."  It struck me how different the Catholic perspective on this is than either a fundamentalist Protestant view or a secular feminist view.
   On the one hand, are girls to imagine themselves as housewives and elementary school teachers, as I was taught at my fundamentalist baptist church as a child?
   On the other hand, are they to imagine themselves as holding powerful positions in the public sector as I was taught by the secular humanists that I was influenced by in high school?
   The Catholic answer is YES to it ALL!  We may indeed enjoy being mothers, housewives, and elementary school teachers.  What a way to be the presence of Christ in the world.  Mothers bear the image of Christ in his Eucharist, nourishing children with their body and blood--how sacred!  Teachers reflect Christ the Teacher, the Logos--what a mighty calling!
    Alternatively, the Catholic Church encourages women to participate in the fullest measure in public life, from corporate life to government to the non-profit sector.  Catholic laywomen are called to be "leaven" in society, evangelizing and shining the light of Christ by means of lives resplendent in faith, hope and charity.
    What is women's work?  Being "another Christ" to their children, husbands, family friends, and in the workplace, in the government, in schools, in institutions of all kinds.
    What a strong and sacred view of a young woman's future the Catholic Church has!