pick kindness

I came across THIS blog post this week and it really struck a chord with me.

I am not really a consistent parent, and so her part about that was really refreshing. I am always forgetting about systems I set up, or sitting down and writing up schedules that I forget about by day three. I was so glad to hear that I wasn't the only one.

But the part that really got me was this: 

"be consistent.  yes.

consistently LOVING.  

and, if you cannot teach cleanliness and kindness, pick kindness...

they can learn cleanliness another day.

if you cannot teach potty training and kindness.

pick kindness...

they can learn potty training another day.

if you cannot teach your grand scriptural insights and be kind.

pick kindness... they can learn scriptural wisdom another day.

because if you can't teach with love, you aren't really teaching at all."

I read that I couldn't help but cry. I needed to hear that. It has stayed with me all week. 

"Pick Kindness." Choose to love.

Fast forward to last night. Jack had been cranky all day. I even had to take him out of sacrament meeting. He has been needy and clinging and naughty and I was at my wits end. Katie, too was really pushing my "2-year-olds are the best!" philosophy, so I was anxious to get her to bed. Dave starting a night shift tonight, so it was just me and kiddos. 

I let the older two finish up a movie while I put Katie to bed. (That consists of me sitting in there until she falls asleep.)  Just as she was starting to calm down, Jack came in. Oh boy, that really sets me off. Two minutes later, Ana came bounding in wearing something that was no longer her pajamas. And so it went. My frustration was mounting, and when Katie was finally asleep I sent the kids to their beds without a bedtime story and we were all upset. 

I came downstairs and started cleaning up the living room. Soon the door cracked open, footsteps padded part way down the stairs and I heard Jack's voice, "Mommy, can you come lay down by me?" 

"Not right now, Jack, I'm cleaning up the living room. I will come up in a bit." I replied, annoyed that he had come out in the first place.

"What if I help you clean up?" I looked up at my little boy and the words came to my mind, "Choose to love." So I smiled and said, "Sure." And both he and Ana came joyfully down the stairs, helped clean up the living room in a jiffy and went back up to bed. I laid by them for a minute or two, told them goodnight, and they went to sleep.

If there is anything I want to teach my kids it is to be kind. That begins with me. I am so glad I learned that this week.