Battles

Motherhood is NOT all fun and games; nor is it about being the power-winner. We have had battle after battle with our kiddos this week over cleaning up their messes. This is not a new concept to them. We clean up everyday as part of the normal routine. But for some reason, this week has been especially hard. The Hubby and I finally decided that we had to take stuff away. And so we did. Everything except the books and puzzles.

I made this post on FB about it: 

it's a sad day in the c-- home... we had to take all of the kiddos' toys away...

I was surprised by the overwhelming "Way to go!" response to the post.  I understand why everyone says that--we have not let our children dictate what is appropriate; we are teaching them the importance of taking care of their stuff.

But I am truly sad that we had to do it. I am sad that our kiddos don't understand that it is not okay to leave a huge mess in one room just to go make a giant mess in another room. I am sad that they have to learn this lesson the hard way. I don't like to feel like parenting is a power struggle. I don't feel like the Hubby and I have won. I actually feel like somehow we have failed. Is our routine not "routine" enough? Are we somehow setting a bad example? Where did we go wrong??