…it offers challenges…daily.  Some are the usual just-get-through-homework kinda challenges…others take you back a few steps.  This week, I got taken back several steps.  Some unacceptable behaviors…that I had no idea of…were brought to my attention.  I was crushed…not in denial, however.  I think that is the key…to not be a “my child would NEVER do that”.  You know what they say about never saying never.  I struggled with the “why”, “where did he learn that”…the conclusion I came to is that it is a part of growing up.  It is necessary to learn boundaries of behavior.  I am honestly amazed that I haven’t run in to an issue such as this before now.  So, I have administered what I deem to be fair, appropriate punishment…and now I have to hope he has learned a difficult lesson and that we won’t have this same issue again.

I am not going to include ugly details, let’s just leave it at he was not following The Golden Rule.  I believe a valuable lesson has been learned, and I hope that my big guy will remember this for a very long time.

My lesson has been that this behavior doesn’t mean I’m a bad parent…I believe the way you handle these challenges tells what kind of parent you are.

I can’t stay mad at that sweet face!  And the answer is…no, the boys never wear shirts when they’re at home :).

Today’s secret revealed…I was shocked by this behavior from E…I have to admit that I have one who this wouldn’t have surprised me…still wouldn’t have been okay, just wouldn’t have been shocked.