Parenting advice, please

We only had one kid, so I'm probably not the "been-there-done-that" parent.

However, l once did a study of Proverbs and concluded that 100 out of 915 verses dealt with words. More than ten per cent of the book on Wisdom tells us how to talk! Maybe a study of Proverbs with your kids would help. Such verses as, "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin" are heavy artillery! :type:

 

It is rude and disrespectful to not use a quiet tone in common areas of the house, unless there is something going on that the majority are involved in or do not mind. Think board games in the living room or something of that nature.

Noisier talk and play should be done in their own rooms or a special area of the house, and if one wants to be very loud, that is what the great outdoors are for!

I have tried to make the kitchen area my own. I don't want someone in there unless they're cleaning.

I also get very frustrated. I do have my ways of handling stuff though. Sometimes I just leave and go for a walk. I think the two youngest have finally learned that if they are noisy on Saturday morning (my day to sleep in) I won't cook a hot breakfast.

Make expectations and make the kids live up to them. If they keep talking loud after you ask them to be quiet, have them go write a story since they like words so much. I have one child who DOES talk even in her sleep...she also won an award for creative writing. I think part of her ability came from making her write when she couldn't quit talking. :laugh:

Of course, you could always just stop and yell "OKAY, EVERYBODY SHUT YOUR MOUTHS FOR THE NEXT HOUR OR I WILL GO TOTALLY INSANE AND BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN!" However, it will only work for a few seconds and then they'll all start discussing the different possibilities that could happen and asking what it will be and making up what it could it and wondering who is gonna get to wear your watch while you're locked up in a straight jacket and then they tear the place apart looking for your will to see who gets the watch forever if you never come back.

Does that help? :tonofbricks:

 

good luck. Yep, picking the right battles...that's half the battle in the parenthood thing, eh?

 

There is much truth to that because you will miss it big time when it's 'grown up and gone'.

 

Hey, thats about 90% of parenting. Choosing the battle and not revealing your battle plan to them

 

I prefer the Homer Simpson philosophy: "I believe that children are our future...that's why we must stop them now!"

 

I don't think you have to tolerate mess. 'No one is going anywhere till this mess is sorted.'

 

I don't mean to be rude here, but I think what you're doing is the equivalent of sitting down at am italian restaurant, and beign upset over the fact that there is no dim sum on the menu. I think it's unreasonable to have multiple kids and expect them to be quiet in perpetuity. Kids communicate, and they're noisy when they do.

 

I've "only" got three, and can attest to the volume level. One thing that might help is if the adults have a private area. My wife and I have a bedroom that has a suite in it (couch, sitting area, etc), which is where my wife goes for solutide, and for prayer. I myself have a part of the backyard setup as my reading area. It's next to a small waterfall feature (during the summer, I even have fish in it!!). I go out there, toss on some headphones, and do some reading. That's my quiet time.

 

While they are doing chores sneak off to the porch and enjoy a nice cup of coffee or tea. Or just join in on the conversation they will think you've gone nuts and be quite.

 

That's the problem with you females...you're "all over the map."

You're goal should be to be like us men-folk...

grumpy 100% of the time.