Creative Discipline

Around our house, we sometimes use chores, timeout and extra schoolwork for discipline, but sometimes we have to get creative. Let's face it, being a parent is really hard. Geoff is well known in Leila's circle of teachers for making her do jumping jacks when she guesses on her homework because she just wants to get it done. Her teachers love this because they experience her guessing, too. Jumping jacks wake her up and help her focus. Occasionally, other football exercises are attempted. I really should video those. They make us all laugh, including Leila! She will often get asked by her teacher when she gets to school, "How many jumping jacks last night, Leila?"

We had an issue with not wanting to share her too–small clothes with Mary Michael, even though she had many new clothes to replace them that would fit properly (I thought maybe she was worried about not having enough since she didn't have any of her own clothes in the orphanage). We had been having trouble with an ungrateful spirit, and this was the last straw. Somehow the idea of wearing the same outfit every day for a week came up, and she said that was fine and that she didn't care. So after several attempts to make sure she understood, we agreed that's what she would do. She wore the same outfit for SEVEN days. She hand-washed it in the sink, which she thought was pretty cool until about halfway through the week. We let her teachers know ahead of time, so that they wouldn't think we were crazy (they already think that!)! By day four, Leila started to care that she was wearing the same clothes. She got it with this punishment! She's been doing just fine with clothes sharing since then. And she's had no interest in wearing that outfit she wore for seven days straight...I wonder why!

One night last week as with many nights before, we had our continuing struggle between the two girls. They are often so critical of one another and both try to play mom. Daily, I shake their hand and introduce myself as the mom. We know there's a bigger issue here of both girls figuring out their new role in our family, and we are addressing that in other way (i.e. Desperate prayer and individual quality time) but it's no excuse for constantly tearing each other down. 

So, Daddy moved the two of them to the other end of the table and told them they needed to learn how to care for and serve one another like they would want to be treated. They had to feed each other dinner, which included drinks and wiping each other's faces. They were not allowed to touch their own food, utensils, drinks or napkins. They had to ask with kind words and good manners because that's how they would want someone to ask them. Not only was this humbling for the both of them, but it brought a lot of laughter, which is so much better then harsh words and tones. However, I don't think either wants to have to do this again because at the mention of it, they both straighten up. 

Welcome to our crazy house!