“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but (harsh) grievous words stir up anger.”

Proverbs 15:1

This has been my parenting scripture for most of this year!  I have been amazed at how many conflicts with my children have been defused by a soft answer.  I’m not talking about the syrupy sweet, ” Now sweetie pie, don’t you want to do what Mommy is telling you to do?”

I’m talking about being firm, but gentle.  No screaming allowed….by parents or children.

This article about genleness (from Teaching Daughters and Training Wives) has taught me so much. I think it will help you too!

This is one of those stories that could make you laugh so hard you cry…thanks Sarah for sending it my way. Enjoy!

ONLY A MOTHER WOULD KNOW…..

“One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me.
I was maybe 2 1/2 years old. Someone had given me a little ‘tea set’ as
a gift and it was one of my favorite toys.

Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I
brought Daddy a little cup of ‘tea’, which was just water. After several
cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home.

My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of
tea, because it was ‘just the cutest thing!’ My Mom waited, and sure
enough, here I come down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she
watches him drink it up.

Then she says, (as only a mother would know..
‘Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get
water is the toilet?”

Our almost three year old daughter Hannah took a long bubble bath on Saturday morning.

When I took her out of the tub she spread her fingers out and said, in her best sing-song voice, “I have raisins on my fingers! And my toes!”. I laughed so hard and squeezed her tight.

Times like this make up for all the dirty diapers that I’ve changed!